|
The growth and development of
these great Mexican rail lines has had an
important bearing upon the progress of Mexico and
the expansion of her commerce,--not to speak of
their influence in promoting commercial and social
intercourse w ith the United States,--and without a
chapter exclusively devoted to rail-roads this
work would be incomplete
It was in the year 1837 that the first government
decree was issued granting a concession for the
building of a railroad, from the city of Mexico to
Vera Cruz; but the projector was unable to
construct any portion of the road, and the grant
was declared forfeited. On the 1st of May, 1842,
an exclusive privilege was given for establishing
a line across the isthmus of Tehuantepec, and on
the 31st of the same month Santa Anna, then
occupying the chair of the Executive, decreed the
re-establishment of an old duty at the customs,
called averia, or average, the product of which
tax (two per cent additional over and above all
import duties) was to be given to promote the
building of a railroad inland from Vera Cruz.
|
