Mr. Plumb to Mr.
Seward.
No. 96.]
Legation of the United States,
City of Mexico,
March 30, 1868.
Sir: On the 27th instant an amendment to the
federal constitution was introduced in the Mexican congress, by the
majority of the deputation from the State of Queretaro, the purpose of
which is to permit the re-establishment of prohibitions in commerce with
this country, on the ground, alleged in the preamble, that, since the
free introduction of all foreign effects into the republic has been
permitted, the industry of the country has commenced to decay, and the
restoration of restrictions is urged as the remedy.
Mr. Montes, one of the members who presented this proposition, has been
ranked among the most liberal and enlightened of the public men of
Mexico.
[Page 442]
I transmit to the department herewith translation of the proposed
amendment and of the article of the constitution referred to.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[From the Siglo XIX, city of
Mexico, March 28,
1868.—Translation.]
Proposition to amend the Constitution so as to permit
prohibitions.
Congressional report–Session of March 27, 1868.
Messrs. Montes and Gudiño y Gomez, the majority of the deputation
from Queretaro, presented the following project of law:
“Since there has been permitted in the republic the free introduction
of all foreign effects without any limitation whatever, our industry
commenced to decay, and to-day it is found in such prostration that
our people lack employment and our merchants are now nothing more
than faithful resellers of foreign manufactures, with the cheapness
of which our own cannot compete.”
“The remedy is efficacious, but a little late. It consists in a
constitutional amendment, which we initiate in the following
proposition, which we respectfully beg the chamber will be pleased
to admit, and refer to the corresponding committee, viz: the clause
in article 28 of the federal constitution which says, ‘Nor
prohibitions in the character of so-called protections to industry’
shall be suppressed.”
Referred to the committee on constitutional points.
Article 28 of
the federal constitution.
“Monopolies shall not be established, nor places for the sale of
privileged goods, nor prohibitions in the character of so-called
protections to industry, excepting solely those relative to the
coining of money, to the mails, and to those privileges which, for a
limited time, are conceded by the law to the inventors or perfectors
of any improvement.”
