ship bread, 3.00; butter, 6·00; ice, 15c.; figs, raisins, and dry fruit, 2:00; vermicelli, 2:00; pepper, 6·00; cheese, 400; sardines, salmon, &c. 4.00; tea, 50.00; wine, white, brls., 500; do. btls, 700; do. red brls., 300; do. red btls., 400; grapes, 100; drugs and medicines of all kinds, 40 per cent. ad val.; ironware is classified in three classes, paying respectively 2, 4, and 9 dols. ql.; nails, wrought or cut, more than one in. in length, 4:00; do. less than one in., 600; tacks and brads more than one in. long, 6'00; do. less than one in. 8.00.

The list of articles of hardware, which in the old tariff are classified in six classes paying respectively 6, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40 dols. a ql., remains without alteration and with the same duty.

COTTON GOODS.

Cotton, ql., 3 dols.; socks, men's and women's, doz., 50c.; do. children's, doz. 30c.; under-shirts and drawers, doz., 4 dols.; tape, lb., 60c.; gloves, doz., 50c.; yarn, white and unbleached, after one year, lb., 15c.; do. coloured, lb., 30c.; thread, spool, 300 yds., doz., 8c.; do. balls and skeins, lb., 30c.; sheetings, bleached and unbleached, one yard wide, 30 threads or less to the quarter of an in., vara, 5c.; do. do. of more than 30 threads to the quarter of an inch, vara, 6c.; lace, lb., 150c.; printed cottons, checks, &c., one yd. wide, vara, 64c.; cotton damask, vara, 8c.; fringe, white and coloured, lb., 30c.; stockings, men's and women's, doz., 1 dol. ; do. children's, doz., 50c.; muslins, printed, 1 yd. wide, vara, 6c.; muslins, white and coloured, fine, one yd. wide, vara, 8c.; do. worked do., vara, 10c.; handkerchiefs, one yd. square, coloured, each, 4c.; do. white and fine, one yd. wide, each, 6c.; do. worked, one yd. wide, each, 124c.; umbrellas, each, 40c.

Fans, ivory, lb., 1 dol. ; do. tortoise shell, pearl, &c., lb., 2 dols.; artificial flowers, lb., 2 dols.; gloves, kid, long, doz. 1 dol. 50c.; do. kid worked, doz., 3 dols.; do. kid, short do., 1 dol.; do. kid, short, worked, 1 dol. 50c.; harness, waggon, &c., ql., 20 dols.; do. carriages, ql., 40 dols.; bricks, common, 1,000, 2 dols.; tile, glazed, 1,000, 3 dols. 50c.; combs, wood, ql., 2 dols.; pianos, square, each, 60 dols.; upright, each, 90 dols.; plate, silver, oz., 25c.; powder, fine, lb., 10c.; ink, lb., 10c.; India rubber goods, lb., 30c.

WOOLLEN GOODS.

Carpeting, one yard wide, vara, 50c.; socks, men's, dozen, 50c.; ditto, children's, doz., 30c.; undershirts and drawers, doz., 3 dols., 50c.; cassimeres, one yard wide, vara, 40c.; wool, ql., 2 dols. 50c.; worsted work, lb., 1 dol.; stockings, men's, doz., 1 dol.; ditto, children's, doz., 50c.; woollen and worsted yarn, lb., 35c.; broad cloth, one yard wide, fine, vara, 60c.; hankerchiefs, all kinds, each 12c.; woollen stuffs, plain, white, and coloured, one yard wide, vara, 7c.; ditto, worked or printed, vara, 9c.

LINEN GOODS.

Carpeting, one yard wide, vara, 7c.; sheetings, one yard wide, vara, 4c.; hemp, ql., 1 dol. 20c.; socks, men's, doz., 50c.; ditto, children's, doz., 25c.; tape, all colours, lb., 36c.; gloves, doz., 50c.; thread, all kinds, lb., 45c.; twine, ql., 3 dols.; yarn, ql., 2 dols. 40c.; flax, ql., 1 dol. 50c.; linen, white and coloured, one yard wide, common, per vara, 4c.; ditto, plain and grass cloth, white or coloured, not over 36 threads to the quarter of an inch, one yard wide, per vara, 5c.; ditto, of more than 36 threads to the quarter of an inch, vara, 7c.; ditto, printed, checks, &c., one yard square, vara, 7c. ; ditto, damask, one yard, vara, 9c.; ditto, worked, one yard wide, vara, 124c.; stockings, men's, doz., 1 dol.; ditto, children's, doz., 50c.; handkerchiefs, plain and coloured, one yard square, doz., 60c.; ditto, white or with coloured border, one yard square, doz., 1 dol.; ditto, worked, one yard square, doz., 2 dols.

SILK GOODS.

Blondes and laces, all kinds, lb., 8 dols.; umbrellas, sunshades, &c. each 1 dol.; raw silk, lb., 60c.; silk for embroidery, lb., 120c.; silk for twist, lb., 2 dols.; silk goods, all kinds, lb., 3 dols.

MIXED GOODS.

Cotton and silk, lb., 1 dol. ; linen and silk, lb., 1 dol. 30c.; wool and silk, lb., 1 dol. 50c.; others, not metal, as linen, wool, silk, and cotton, lb., 1 dol. 50c. Goods with metal interworked will pay 20 per cent. on valuation.

REDUCTION OF DUTIES ON VESSELS WITH COALS.

By Government order, Sept. 1853, all vessels laden with coal are to enter on the payment of reduced tonnage dues, viz., on the payment of four reals (or 2s.) per ton, instead of one dollar four reals (or 6s.) per ton, which was formerly exacted; but it is to be understood that these vessels are to have no other merchandise on board.

GUANO.

Mexico, March 1, 1854.

The Government of the Republic, under date of January 16, gave Messrs. Joseph O. Forns, Charles and Manuel Valdovinos and partners, M. J. de Lizardi, Francis J. de Mora and John Garrusté, the exclusive privilege for ten years to appropriate all the guano found on the coast and islands belonging to Mexico in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with the exception of the three islands called "Las Marias." It will be as well to mention, that although the guano hitherto found is rather inferior to that of the Chincha islands, it is better than that of the islands of Lobos, in Peru, and, consequently, that the quality is good.

In virtue of this privilege, the company will be able to supply all vessels calling at the ports of the Republic and in the Pacific Ocean, as well as those nearest the Antilles, in Central America, in Upper California, and in the Gulf of Parana, with a return cargo of guano.

The company have appointed accredited agents, with full powers to treat with the masters of vessels in regard to charters, &c., as well as to give all information that may be required by them. These agents reside at Matamoras, Tampico, Vera Cruz, Tobasco, Isle of Carmen, and Campeachy, and in the Pacific, Acapulco, Manzanilla, St. Blas, Mazatlan, and Guaymas.

The Government decree of January 16 last states, in

Article 3. That all vessels about to load guano from the coasts or islands of the Republic, must call at one of the licensed ports for the export either in the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans so as to obtain the necessary custom-house permit as having been duly visited, as is the case with vessels about to load dyewood.

Art. 4. The vessel and cargo are liable to seizure in default of the masters not complying with the above article.

April 19, 1854.

In consequence of the decree of 16th January this year, granting to us the exploitation of Mexican guano, the Government has given an order to the direc tors of the maritime custom-houses not to let vessels pass out of port to load guano without a special permission from this direction to take guano on board. This direction gives licences to load at any time till the 31 December this year, at those places in the Atlantic and Pacific, or the coast of the Mexican territories and its proximity, on condition of payment of 15 hard dollars per ton of the ship's measurement for the Atlantic ports, and 9 dollars for the Pacific, in addition to which the owners or captains must pay the duties con

formably to the laws of the Republic, the amount of which is reduced by the decree granting us our privilege to 1 dollar per ton.

The captains may take on board the packages necessary for conveying the guano, as well as the utensils necessary for getting it, and the provisions required for the consumption of the crew, but there must be only the quantity strictly necessary, and it must be accompanied with the requisite invoices for the information of the Custom-house authorities. No duty will have to be paid on these. In consequence of this, and of the importation of any provisions being prohibited by the laws of the country, the society will be disposed to take the said utensils and provisions, if the two parties can come to terms. For the information of the owners and captains, the articles of the decree, setting forth the pains and penalties for any infraction of our rights, are stated at foot.

The agents of the direction at the respective ports are duly authorized to treat with owners and captains.

J. O. FORNS.

Art. 3. Vessels to touch at ports in the Atlantic or Pacific, in order that a verification may be made of their not having any merchandise on board, of which they must obtain a certificate similar to that given to vessels in ballast. Art. 4. If the above article is contravened, the ship will be seized.

1. Nobody is to use fire-arms against the birds in the islands where the guano is deposited.

2. A fine of 50 dollars for any breach of the above prohibition to be paid by the captain.

3. The commanders of the vessels of war and guardacostas will see to the fulfilment of this prohibition.

LOGWOOD.

By B. T. N., April 19, 1854, and despatch enclosing the translation of a decree of the Mexican Government, which rescinds the order recently promulgated, whereby permission was granted for the exportation of logwood duty

free.

ISLA DEL CARMEN AND TRADE IN LOGWOOD.

DECREE.

Art. 1. The Port of the Island del Carmen, in the territory bearing the same name, is open to foreign commerce.

2. The merchandize which by virtue of this decree is imported by said port, cannot be introduced to any other port of the Republic, but must necessarily be consumed in the said territory.

3. The tariff to be observed at the said port is the general tariff of the Republic of 1st June of the present year, and posterior amendments.

4. Foreign ships, after having legally unloaded in any port of the Republic, may go to the Isla del Carmen to load logwood, subject always to the visits of the Port Captain, and other requisite formalities observed in like cases. Under these circumstances no tonnage dues will be exacted.

5. Ships that arrive at the said port from foreign parts, in ballast, to load logwood, must be provided with the necessary consular certificate, and will pay tonnage dues.

Done in the National Palace, at Mexico, December 10, 1853.

To the Minister of Finance.

ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA.

SIERRA Y ROSSE, Minister of Finance.

K K

ACAPULCO.

REDUCTION IN TONNAGE DUES.

By Despatch, Feb. 14, 1854, the Supreme Government have made the following reduction in the tonnage dues upon all vessels arriving in that port laden with coal, and consigned to any Steam Boat Company having a depot of coals in the harbour, viz.: 4 reals, or 2 shillings per ton, instead of $1 4 reals, or 6 shillings, as formerly.

TEXAS.

THE UNITED STATES AND TEXAS.

A treaty for the annexation of Texas was concluded between the United States of America and the Republic of Texas at Washington, on April 12, 1844. By T. L. April 29, 1846, Texas must henceforward be considered as forming part of the American Union.

RECIPROCITY TREATY.

Ratifications exchanged at London, June 28, 1842.

[See p. 47.]

ISABEL POINT, BRAZOS, SANTIAGO.

July 23, 1853.

Her Majesty's Government has been officially informed that a fixed light is now established on Isabel Point, at the entrance of Brazos, Santiago, in lat. 26° 7 N., long. 97° 16' W. of Greenwich.

The tower is painted white, and the dome and lantern black. From the deck of a steam-vessel it may be seen at the distance of eleven miles from the bar, and when it bears west by north (magnetic) it may be safely approached on that bearing into eight fathoms water. It is visible 15 miles in any direc tion seaward, but the nature of the coast renders it necessary to be cautious in running for it on any other than the above bearing.

A moving beacon light, intended to mark the entrance of the harbour, will be exhibited at the south point of Padre Island, and will be visible at the distance of 10 miles from the bar in clear weather. It is a moveable framework, painted black, plainly visible by day, and stands in lat. 26° 6′ N., long. 97° 12′ W.

CALIFORNIA.

California, an extensive country in the west part of North America, bordering the Pacific Ocean, and extending from Cape St. Lucas, on the S. (lat. 22° 48′ W.), to boundary line, lat. 42° N., and from lon. 109° W., near the sources of the Colorado River, to lon. 124° W., on the Pacific. It has been divided into Upper and Lower California, the upper division including all that portion north of lat. 32°, and the lower comprehending the narrow peninsula formed by the Gulf of California, which separates it from the mainland of North America on the east, and the Pacific Ocean, which bounds it on the west.-Keith Johnston.

FIRST DISCOVERY OF THE PLACE.

California was first discovered by Sir Francis Drake; he anchored in the harbour of San Francisco, the 17th of June, 1576. He gave the name of NEW

ALBION to the country, and took possesssion of it in the name of Queen Elizabeth. But no one being left there, and the British being occupied in colonizing the Eastern coast of America, it was neglected. The Spaniards had previously touched there.-Mining Journal.

PART OF THE UNITED STATES.

By letter, dated Foreign Office, Dec. 7, 1848, the province of Upper California, in which the Bay of San Francisco is situated, was ceded by Mexico to the United States in conformity with the fifth article of the treaty concluded between those two States on February 2, 1848; and Upper California is to be deemed a part of the United States.

PORTS.

By C. O., Dec. 1848, the trade with the ports of Upper California, viz., Monterey, St. Diego, and San Francisco, to be included in the returns rendered to the Inspector-General of imports and exports, and to the Registrar-General of shipping, under the head of the United States, instead of Mexico, as before.

DISCOVERY OF GOLD.

By a letter from Steilacoom, dated April 4, 1854, it appears that gold has been discovered near that place in considerable quantities. Numbers of the people went to work with pick, pan, and shovel. One specimen worth 2 dollars was found, and one worth 25 dollars was taken from a hole of two feet square in the course of one day. Claims had been taken up, and companies formed, to prosecute the search for the precious ore with vigour. Discoveries had also been made on the Yakima river, and large quantities taken out and carried to the settlement by the Indians.-California Pioneer.

PRODUCTION OF GOLD.

San Francisco, Aug. 1853.

The production of gold in this State, contrary to most of the original predictions on the subject, has long become as regular a branch of industry as corn or cotton growing in other districts.-Cor.

QUICKSILVER.

San Francisco, Oct. 1843.

The total exports of quicksilver from San Francisco during the six months ending the 30th of June amounted to 9,047 flasks of 1001b. each, equal, at 70c. per pound, to 633,290 dollars.-Cor.

TRADE OF THE YEAR.

San Francisco, Jan. 28, 1854. The exports of gold from California for the year just past was 67,873,505 dollars. The total product of the mines during the five years, ten months and a half, since the discovery, was estimated at 260,000,000 dollars. The arrivals of passengers by sea during the year, as shown by the Custom-house records were 35,185, and the departures 30,316; the population having thus increased 4,869. During the year 1,028 vessels, of 555,794 tons, entered the harbour of San Francisco, and 1,091 vessels, of 635,480 tons, cleared, being an increase of 22 per cent. on the previous year.-Cor.

THE MARKETS.

The markets have again relapsed into inactivity, accompanied by increased demand for money. The mining intelligence continues favourable. Shipments of treasure from San Francisco during April, 1854, including those of