Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Third Session of the Fortieth Congress

Mr. Plumb to Mr. Seward.

No. 205.]

Legation of the United States, City of Mexico, October 10, 1868.

Sir: In the report made to the Mexican congress on the 28th ultimo, by the minister of treasury, of which I gave a synopsis in my dispatch No. 203, reference was made to the subject of the opening to foreign commerce of the port of Libertad, in the Gulf of California, and it was stated that the government was occupied in carefully examining the subject, in order to proceed in the orbit of its faculties in the manner it might believe most advantageous to the national interests.

From a communication addressed to congress by the minister of treasury, on the 6th instant, published in the Diario Oficial of yesterday, it appears that the executive has resolved to open this port only to the coasting trade instead of to foreign commerce as had been expected, and as the government of the State of Sonora, according to the statement of the minister of treasury in his report, had solicited.

I beg to inclose translation of the communication referred to herewith. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. L. PLUMB.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

Proposed opening of Port Libertad, in the Gulf of California, to the coasting trade.

[From the Diario Oficial, October 9, 1868.—Translation.]

DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY AND PUBLIC CREDIT.—SECTION 1.

The citizen President having resolved, in use of the faculty conceded to him by article 85, clause 14 of the constitution, to open to the coasting trade the bay of Lobos, (Port Libertad,) in the Gulf of California, on account of the great advantages which from such measure should result to the State of Sonora and to the nation, as is set forth in the reports which appear in the papers with reference thereto, which, for the information of the chamber, I have the honor to annex to this communication, it has appeared proper to initiate to congress an assignment of employes and their salaries in the new port equal to the assignment now made to the port of Goatzacoalcos; and that the executive be authorized to make expenditures not exceeding $25,000 in the works that may be necessary.

I renew to you the assurances of my very distinguished consideration.

Independence and liberty! Mexico, October 6, 1868.

M. ROMERO.

The Citizen Deputies, Secretaries of the Congress of the Union, Present.