Note 8 — COMMERCE OF THE PHILIPPINES WITH NUEVA ESPAÑA

Formerly the fardo was 1⅓ varas long, ¾ vara high, and ¾ vara less one pulgada (nearly one English inch) wide; but for a long time previous to 1726 the bale of this size had not been used, because it became necessary to break it open at Acapulco, in order to transfer the goods from the ship to the land, and it was replaced by the half-bale and half-chest, in order not to break open the package before selling it or transporting it across the country. These smaller packages were then called “bales” and “chests” (fardos and caxones); their dimensions are given in the decree of 1726 (fol. 118 verso of Extracto, or VOL. XLIV, ante, p. 311). This information appears in the informatory report furnished by Gabriel Guerrero de Ardila, accountant of the bureau of accounts in Mexico, to the viceroy, on March 6, 1730. (Extracto historial, fol. 193 verso, 194.) ↑