Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 1, 1873
No. 298.
Mr. Foster
to Mr. Fish.
Mexico, September 20, 1873. (Received October 8.)
Sir: Since my last review of public affairs the only events of general interest which have occurred are the observance of the national anniversary and the opening of the first session of the seventh Congress of the Union, both of which took place on the 16th instant. The day was recognized by the display of the American flag at this legation, at the office of the consul-general, and by a number of American citizens resident in this capital; and by a general participation in patriotic demonstrations by government and local officials, organizations, and citizens.
The new Congress contains a large majority of supporters of the President and his administration. It assembles at a time of greater peace and legal order than the country has enjoyed for many years. I inclose herewith a printed copy and translation of the address of President Lerdo to that body, and of the response of Hon. Nicholas Lemus, president of the Congress. (Inclosures A and B.) It will be noticed that the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia in 1876 is favorably commended in both addresses.
I am, &c.,
speech of president lerdo at the opening of congress, september 16, 1873.
Citizen Deputies:
The installation of the seventh constitutional congress is an event doubly auspicious for the Mexican people. Besides the benefits justly expected from the patriotism and the wisdom of Congress, it sees in the legal assemblage of its representatives a new and satisfactory proof that constitutional order is now firmly consolidated in the republic.
Receive, then, citizen deputies, my very sincere congratulation, because you enter upon your high functions under the most favorable conditions, resting upon the assurance of a fortunate present, and cheered by the confident hope of a still happier future.
The recent elections for Congress and for the supreme court of justice, which took place with regularity and tranquillity, have given palpable evidence that the constitution and the laws are in force throughout our territory without the least opposition.
When the present executive was called to office by law, he made a formal and spontaneous manifesto, which he renewed with pleasure on being soon after favored by a popular election, to the effect that the constant rule of his conduct will ever be the faithful observance of the constitution and of the laws of reform, which have opened a new era for our country, regenerating it with the principles of modern civilization. In conformity with his promise and his duty, the executive has placed a check upon some advances hostile to the laws of reform, which will soon be so justly invested with constitutional sanction.
Legal order is maintained throughout the States, free from threatened disturbances, excepting a legal question, which has excited between the State authorities of Coahuila, differences which are to be regretted. Although this has given occasion to a call for federal aid, the executive has thus far judged proper to refrain from imparting such aid, both because in his opinion the occasion foreseen by the fundamental code has not arisen, and because he considers his neutrality entirely in accordance with our federative system, and even regards the matter in dispute as a question of State constitutional law, which it is to be desired may receive a prompt and pacific solution through the action of the local powers.
Our relations with the friendly powers preserve the same spirit of reciprocal goodwill and cordiality as heretofore. The republic of Colombia has appointed a new consul-general in Mexico. By virtue of the resignation of the former representative of the United States, a new minister plenipotentiary has arrived, who, like his predecessor, has proved the sentiments of friendship fortunately subsisting between the two republics.
The presidents of Bolivia, Guatemala, and Uruguay, having communicated their elevation to the chief magistracy of their respective countries, the executive has replied with the esteem and cordiality due to the governments and people of those republics, which have, with ours, so many ties of fraternity.
The American Government, desiring to celebrate the centennial of the independence of the United States of America, has projected for the year 1876 a great exposition of arts, manufactures, and products of the soil and mine, to which it has invited the people and the government of Mexico. This invitation was accepted with satisfaction and deserved esteem by the executive, who will endeavor to have Mexico worthily represented in the brilliant competition at Philadelphia, counting upon the support, which he does not doubt will be given him by Congress, in all those measures which require legislative action.
The ratification of the convention of November 27, 1872, which renewed that of July 4, 1868, having been exchanged, the commissioner and the agent of Mexico in the mixed claims commission are now in Washington discharging their important duties.
The commission of investigation appointed for the frontier of the Rio Bravo has not yet been able to terminate its interesting labors in spite of its assiduous efforts. Consequently its period of duration has been extended in accordance with the congressional decree, and by virtue of the same a commission of investigation has been appointed for the frontiers of Chihuahua and Sonora.
The disappearance of the chieftain who for so many years maintained a civil war in the district of Tepic put an end to a glorious campaign, which shed lustre upon the valor and skill of the national army. Nevertheless, as it is impossible for that district to be re-organized in a few days, after being so long subject to the abuses of a tyrannical domination, the executive has thought it necessary to maintain there sufficient forces to avoid the danger of new outbreaks, taking care, at the same time, to re-organize all branches of the local administration, and to introduce proper reforms, prominent among which is the establishment of schools to generalize public instruction among the people, which will thus be able to appreciate the benefits of peace and of legal order.
The elements which have grown up during the protracted anomalous condition of [Page 695] Tepic afford sufficient reasons for still maintaining there a military government; but as this ought not to be indefinitely prolonged, it may now he a proper time for the representatives of the nation to examine and decide the principal question concerning the separation which that district has solicited, or its re-incorporation with the State of Jalisco. An end would thus he put to the agitation maintained for so many years in that district, and Congress having made the decision which its wisdom may dictate, the condition of Tepic would he definitely fixed, to the great benefit of the general peace of the republic.
The proper commission has just concluded the draft of a code of criminal procedure, which will be promptly examined, in order that, by virtue of the authorization of Congress, it may soon receive the character of law, to the profit of a very important branch of the administration of justice.
The executive believes it his duty to recommend to the enlightened consideration of Congress the pending project concerning the basis of a reform of the system of public instruction, since, if this could be acted upon during the present period of sessions, this important improvement might be established in time for the coming scholastic year.
It is unnecessary to recommend the pending railroad projects; their utility is so great and so well recognized, as also the anxiety of Mexican society for the realization of these enterprises, destined to produce the most abundant fruits of prosperity. The projected railroads will quickly foment our agriculture in the interior, and there will be obtained, at a later day, the great advantage of placing the republic in immediate relations with the United States and with Europe, giving, also, to Mexico the means of communication with Asia.
Among the pending bills those relating to a diminution of the cost of freight upon the railroad from Mexico to Vera Cruz, and to the prompt completion of the Jalapa railroad, deserve special attention. Both these improvements will impart new life to rich and fertile regions and will develop upon a grand scale the exportation of our tropical productions.
The executive having been authorized to amend the tariff, intrusted its study to a commission, whose intelligent members have worthily executed their task. The examination of several points on which advice was tendered by various custom-houses has delayed the publication of the new tariff, since the executive desires to proceed with the greatest prudence, to the advantage both of commerce and of the treasury.
The collection of the revenue and the payment of the public expenditure have been effected with the greatest regularity. Notwithstanding the outlay occasioned by the campaign of Tepic, the civil and military lists have been punctually paid, as well as the ordinary expenses of the administration.
Of the loan contracted in August of last year seven-eighths of the principal has been paid, as well as the interest which has become due. That loan freed our society from a new contribution, which would otherwise have been indispensable on account of the scarcity of resources resulting from the civil war, not then fully ended. The good-will displayed on that occasion by the subscribers to the loan was worthy of esteem, and it was but just to attend with the greatest exactness to the payment of principal and interest, as was demanded by good faith and the credit of the public administration.
Being fully persuaded of the immense advantages produced by telegraphic communication, care has been taken not only to preserve the existing lines, but to continue those commenced and to construct other new ones. That of Tabasco, soon to extend to Yucatan, is nearly finished, as will shortly be those from Acapulco to Chilpauzingo, and from San Luis to Tampico. A sum of money has been sent abroad sufficient to purchase the wire and apparatus for six hundred leagues more of telegraph. With these, the extent of the lines belonging to the government will soon reach 7,500 kilometers, thus proving the lively desire of the government to establish in all the States of the republic this means of communication, so fruitful in benefits for society.
Through the just interest of facilitating in every way our communication, especially with the distant States which have hitherto not enjoyed them, it was provided that the post-office department furnish a proper subsidy for the establishment of a line of diligences between the cities of Durango and Chihuahua. The contracting company has offered that before the end of the present month that line will be inaugurated, by which there will be established for the first time a regular service of coaches between those two cities.
The executive being convinced that the lack of vigilance along our extensive coasts on both seas occasions great losses to the treasury and to honest commerce, has determined to purchase four coast-guard vessels, two for the Gulf of Mexico and two for the Pacific. Smuggling will thus be prevented in great part, and also the danger of new commotions in some of our ports. The executive has already provided a part of the sum necessary for the purchase of the said four vessels, but the amount fixed in the act appropriation being insufficient, a proposal for that purpose will be immediately [Page 696] submitted to Congress, prompt action upon which, is recommended to your consideration.
Provision has been made for recovering the mints at Juanajuato, Zacatecas, and San Luis, by the payment of the sums due the lessees according to their respective contracts. The executive has taken a decided interest in this measure, not only on account of the unquestionable advantages which will arise from the government haying charge of the mints, but also in order to avoid the heavy losses which would be incurred by delaying this payment, since, if not paid before the end of the present year, the credits of the mints at Juanajuato and Zacatecas would, by contract, bear a triple interest, counting from their respective dates.
Without having failed to pay the ordinary expenses of the administration, a million of dollars has been laid out in the payment of the loan, in the purchase of material for telegraphs, in the sum advanced for the purchase of coast-guard vessels, and in the recovery of the mints.
These facts will prove to you, citizen deputies, the zeal of the executive in striving after all possible improvements. Although there are grave difficulties to surmount, the administration endeavors to proceed with regularity, and if, as we should hope from the patriotism and good sense of the Mexicans, peace shall continue to shed its inestimable blessings upon our society, we may flatter ourselves with the well-founded hope that the republic, after so many sacrifices, will obtain the most complete prosperity.
response of the president of congress, mr. nicolas lenus.
Citizen President of the Republic:
After the periodical renewal which our institutions prescribe for the legislative branch of the Mexican government this constitutional Congress commences its duties under the most favorable auspices. The recent elections, which, in the pacific contest of all parties, took place with the greatest tranquillity, and the present reunion of the representatives of the people, are truly evident proofs of the consolidation of the order of things established by the federal compact and the other laws of our political code. The nation, which loves and understands its institutions, felicitates itself with Congress and the executive upon so happy an event, the result of the profound peace which now reigns throughout the republic, and, enjoying the present tranquillity, cherishes for the future the most flattering hopes of an epoch, not very remote, of real happiness. Congress is aware of the energy which the present administration has shown to bring about this result, and has seen the zeal with which it watches over the enforcement of the laws; audit does not doubt, therefore, that it will be ready and willing to repress the infractions which may occur in the future, of the constitution and laws, of reform, as well as the other provisions of a federal character.
In the State of Coahuila certain troubles have arisen which threatened to disturb its peace, even to the extremity of demanding from the federal executive the aid of its armed force. This extraordinary remedy is often efficacious, but should be dispensed with prudent reserve, as the executive has very properly decided. Besides, Congress hopes from the justice of the authorities and the good sense of the people of Coahuila that this affair will receive a pacific and patriotic solution.
Congress rejoices that the relations of Mexico with the friendly powers continue as cordial as heretofore; sees with satisfaction the exchange of courtesies with the governments of the south of this continent, and takes note of the appointment of a consul-general by the republic of Colombia. It is likewise gratified that the executive has accepted, with merited appreciation, in the name of the Mexican people, the invitation of the authorities of the United States of America to the exhibition of industries, which will take place in Philadelphia in the year 1876, in honor of the centennial of the independence of that republic; and it will take care, for its part, to adopt the measures necessary for Mexico to be worthily represented in that exposition.
The measure most adequate to preserve harmony between two friendly nations is that of arranging their differences by means of amicable conventions; that of the 4th of July, 1868, made with the republic of the North, and extended on the 27th of November, 1872, has for its object that our national interests may be properly represented and defended, and Congress has confidence in the accomplishment of these great ends, through the wisdom and impartiality of the commission named for this purpose by both governments. It also expects from the labors of our investigating commission of the northern frontier the same pacific and favorable results to Mexican interests.
The executive promises the speedy promulgation of the code of criminal procedure, and recommends to the national legislature the prompt consideration of a proposition concerning the bases necessary for our system of public instruction. The delegates of the people, who constitute this assembly, comprehend that the codifiation of the laws [Page 697] is a necessity for all times and all nations, and hopes that this promise will he fulfilled within a short time, for the benefit of the inhabitants of this district and the territory of Lower California, being disposed, for its part, to consider both the proposition on the subject of public instruction and all the other general interests which the executive may see proper to transmit to Congress.
The deputies to the present legislature, who come to the national assembly free from ignoble passions, unbiassed by party pledges, and resolved to take as the rule of their conduct the moral and material progress of the republic, observe with pleasure that the executive does not neglect these important objects, and that it strives to raise Mexico to the level of the most civilized nations, adopting the benefits of modern inventions in order to render more easy and convenient the communication between the States, and giving aid to a line of stages from Chihuahua to Durango, which may increase the commerce of those cities. The national representation, taking its inspiration from the fulfillment of its duties and its love of country, will consider and determine, as speedily as possible, in the manner most convenient to the public welfare, the matters of the reduction of the freight-tariff on the railroad from Vera Cruz to the capital, by way of Orizaba; its duplicate communication by Jalapa, and the extension of this road from the capital to some point on the Pacific Ocean.
The regular payment of the expenses of the government, the fulfillment of its pecuniary obligations, the recovery of the mints at Juanajuato, San Luis, and Zacatecas, in conformity with their respective contracts of lease, and the purchase of abundant telegraphic material, indicate the satisfactory eondition of the federal treasury, which will undoubtedly improve hereafter, with the products of the mints now recovered, the repression of smuggling by means of four coast-guard vessels, to which proposition Congress will, without delay, give its attention; and, above all, with increasing honesty in the collection of the taxes and the payment of the expenses.
With the execution of the turbulent Lozada, the insurrection in Tepic happily terminated, and that district now, as well as the whole republic, enjoys the benefits of peace. Congress comprehends the difficulties of its re-organization, and will seek to give to so delicate a subject a conclusion consistent with the tranquillity of the nation and respect for its institutions, with the real interests of the State of Jalisco, and with the especial benefit of Tepic itself.
Citizen President, the sky of the Mexican republic is at this moment free from clouds; its happy future, like the radiant sun, appears above the horizon. We, the members of Congress, pray that, through harmony between the supreme powers of the State an omen so auspicious may result in an uninterrupted series of blessings to the country.