The West India Islands [pp. 455-500]

TARIFF OF DUTIES IN SPANISH WNEST INDIES.
The history of the Spanish colonies, either continental or island,
presents the same pictures of wrong and oppression. They have been
regarded, in every period of their existence, by the home government,
as entitled to no other rights or privileges than such as might be tolerated by an avaricious despotism. The colonial code asserted the
most monstrous principles, whose execution was a warfare against humianity itself Rapacity and extortion were familiar to the rulers, and
to indulge them to the best purpose and with impunity, the darling
object of every measure. The crimes which have thus been committed
shock us by their atrocity, and paved the way for those South Amlerican and Mexican revolutions, which resulted so happily in independence. With all her greediness of wealth, however, what has been
the progress of Spain, and how miserable and abject is her condition
withal!
To give some idea of this colonial system, we would remark, that
the whole property was considered as vested in the crown of Spain.
It was a capital offense to carry on trade with foreigners, and even the
different colonies were forbidden any intercourse. They were not permitted to cultivate certain articles, and the crown reserved the monopoly of others. No other than a native of Spain could fill an office
of trust or honor, under the state. Intolerance and bigotry in religion
were maintained, and knowledge itself proscribed as dangerous.
The West India Islands, from their extraordinary fertility, experi enced less of the ills of these restrictions, at all times;,but latterly,
the increase of smuggling operations and the impossibility of the colo nists being supplied by the mother country with articles of consump tion, as well as the progress of more liberal principles, have induced
many important modifications in the commercial system of the islands.
However, as will be seen directly, a thousand abuses are still suffered
to remain.
TARIFF OF DUTIES ADOPTED MARCH 1, 1846.
Rate Rate
of Duty of Duty
valuation. per ct. Valuation. per ct.
Ale,cask.........arroba. $1 50 331/ Cordage, tarred......qtl. 12- 331/4
Ale, bottles.......dozen. 3 - 3312 Cordage, Manilla..... qtl. 7 50 33i~
Apples...............bbl. 3 - 271 Cotton..............qtl. 10 -- 271
Barrels, empty.....each. - 50 271 Cider.......bottles, doz: 3- 3'
Beef..bbl. 9 -.33.1 Flour, bbl., fixed duty... — $9 59
Beef, jerked......arroba. 1 75 i272 Hams.... qtl. 10- 33 Beef, smoked........ qtl. 7 - 3312 Hay................qtl. - 50 2714
Beans...........arroba. - 75 3312 Herring..bxs. of 100 fish.- 62 33
Beer, cask........arroba. 1 50 32}2 Hogsheads, casks..each. 2 - 271
Beer........bottles, doz. 3- 33y2 Hoops...............M. 30 - 271.
Biscuit...box, 4 lb. - 75.33y2 Horses, geldings.... each.150- 3'12
Boards, white and yellow Lard..........qtl. 12 - 331
pine.......... M. ft. 20 - 271/Y Mackerel........... bbl. 3 - 2i2
Bricks...............M. 12 - 32'2 Nails, copper........qtl. 25 - 27a
Butter..............qtl. 14 - 2712 Nails, iron...........qtl. 7 - 27.2
Candles, tallow.......qtl. 12 - 33y2 Oars.............100 ft. 6 25 27/
Candles, sperm.......qtl. 32 --- 27}2 Oil, sperm and whale..qtl. 10 - 271
Cheese, American.. qtl. 10 - 2712 Onions..............qtl. 1 50 331/
Coal.ton. 3 75 3214 Paper, letter.......ream. 2 50 33/
Cocoa, Caraccas......qtl. 16 - 27/o Paper, wrapping.... ream. - 50 331
Cocoa, all other......qtl. 6 - 27'2 Pork...............bbl. 14 - 334
God Fish............qti. 3 50 271/ Pork, sides..........qtl. 9 - 271
461