This is only one of the examples of the pretended blessings brought on
Mexico by French intervention, blessings that weigh heavily upon those
who have the misfortune to live in a country with such a government.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
[Enclosure.]
Vera Cruz,
March 31, 1866.
For some time a very serious question has been pending between the
commercial houses of this city engaged in the foreign trade and the
government of Maximilian. By the decree of the latter of the 10th of
February ultimo, an additional duty of thirty per cent. was added to
the tariff then in force. The commerce of this port claimed, and
with reason, that this could not apply to merchandise in store which
had been imported months, and some of it even years, before the
publication of the decree; that the very fact that such merchandise
was on hand and had been kept so long was a proof that it was in
little demand, and would probably have to be sold at a loss, and
that now to force it to pay an additional duty, not contemplated or
known at the time of its importation, would be to involve in ruin
many of the merchants, and to expose them to losses as unjust as
injurious.
It was also urged that such a measure was in violation of the organic
law of the empire, which established the principle that no law ever
should have retroactive force.
For these reasons the question has been a very grave one between the
commercial houses and M. Rollan, (a French subject,) the director of
the custom-house of the Gulf. But Maximilian, at the petition of the
latter, and overriding the express provisions of the organic law,
has ordered not only that the merchants must pay this additional
percentage of duty upon their effects now on hand and previously
imported, but that if they do not deliver a full account of all
merchandise on hand within the term of three days, they shall be
obliged to pay sixty per cent. additional duty in place of the
thirty per cent. fixed by the decree of the 10th of February.
It therefore follows that not only are dispositions established that
are contrary to all the principles of justice recognized throughout
the world, but suddenly and on the moment there are established, and
even in cases of doubtful interpretation, new systems of penalties,
under an arbitrary legislation heretofore unknown.
These are entirely new occurrences for this country, and have caused
a profound sensation throughout the commercial community. The tariff
has been suddenly raised or lowered before, and merchants have been
exposed sometimes to serious losses, and at other times have gained
upon their stocks on hand. They have never been before exposed, in
addition, to retroactive laws and the
imposition of penalties as new and unexampled as they are arbitrary
and unjust. What, however, makes this case more remarkable is, that
it is a matter of public notoriety that not only the minister of
treasury, but Maximilian also, recognize and admit the justice of
the position taken by the commercial houses of this port, the
principal of this country, and pronounce the measure an iniquitous
one; but their fear of Napoleon is such that they are unwilling to
go contrary to any measure decided upon by M. Langlais, the
financial agent whom he sent here, and who has proceeded as if he
were directing a department in France.
The principle, however, that this action has established is a most
dangerous one, and has thrown commercial affairs here into the
greatest uncertainty. No merchant now knows what to calculate upon
or what to expect, and the belief is that this measure is only the
beginning of a course of similar exactions designed to meet the
extraordinary necessities caused by the pecuniary embarrassments of
Maximilian’s government. The ordinary revenue from all sources is
not sufficient to meet even the half the present expenditures, and
the fear is that, as a matter of necessity, resort will be had to
every possible means of extorting funds
[Page 147]
wherever they can be found. As the only class
that has available means is the commercial community, it follows
that upon this class these exactions are likely almost exclusively
to fall. How it will be possible to continue importations under
these circumstances it is not easy to see.
The English minister, it is said, has already interfered in the
matter, but there is little hope of anything being done so long as
the pecuniary necessities of the situation are so great, and the
French continue to treat this country as the Spaniards did, only as
a place to take dollars from, and at the cost of whatever sacrifice
of its present commerce or future interest.
