"It must be borne in mind, that in making the following estimate, we have taken into consideration the extreme low rate of wages in the country, as compared with the wages of the journeymen laborers in the United States; and this alone must make an immense difference in cost of works of the kind executed in Mexico, whenever we base our estimates upon the costs of similar works in England or in our own country. ESTIMATE OF COST. _Section._ _Leagues._ _Dollars._ 1st. 3 Grading from Vera Cruz to the foot of the small ridge of the Molino de Ricato, over a sandy soil, easy to excavate and transport superstructure, 125,000 2d. 2 Whole cost of the two leagues, from the last point to the river San Juan, nearly level ground, including superstructure and a stone bridge across this river, 95,000 3d. 12 Twelve leagues from the river San Juan to Boca del Monte, 450,000 4th. 6-1/2 Six and a half leagues from Boca del Monte to the Barranca of Chichiquila--superstructure, 275,000 5th. 6-1/2 Six and a half leagues across the Barranca of Chichiquila. This section is the most difficult and costly part of the road, and will cost over $300,000 per mile--say, superstructure, 2,500,000 6th. 4 The next four leagues to the valley of St. Andres, 245,000 7th. 34-1/2 From the foot of the Sierra Madre, through the northern part of the valley of St. Andres, crossing the road from Perote to Puebla, near the village of Poctarus to San Cristoval, 1,300,000 8th. 4 Four leagues from San Cristoval to the city of Mexico, 270,000 Locomotives and cars, 550,000 --------- Whole cost of the road, 5,810,000 P. O. HÉBERT, Lieut. Col. 14th Infantry" CHAPTER VIII. MEXICAN FINANCES. DISORDER OF MEXICAN FINANCES--ENORMOUS USURY.--CHARACTER OF FINANCIAL OPERATIONS.--EXPENSES OF ADMINISTRATIONS.--ANALYSIS OF MEXICAN DEBT--COMPARISON OF INCOME AND OUTLAY--DEFICIT.