No. 485.
Mr. Foster
to Mr. Fish.
Legation of
the United States,
Mexico, June 22, 1874.
(Received July 7.)
No. 159.]Sir: I inclose herewith a note from Mr. Lafragua,
minister of foreign affairs, dated May 27 last, making inquiry, in view of
the facts referred to in said note, if this legation has taken any
resolution on the subject of displaying its flag on the days of Mexican
anniversaries. A similar note was also addressed to all the foreign
legations in this capital. I replied to Mr. Lafragua, under date of the 29th
ultimo, (inclosure 2,) that this legation had taken no new resolution upon
the subject, and stated to him what had been its practice in relation
thereto.
I have received no reply to my note, but I have reason to believe that my
answer has proven satisfactory to the Mexican government, which has
manifested a sensitive regard for the observance of its national
anniversaries.
I am, &c.,
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[Inclosure 1 in No.
159.—Translation.]
Mr. Lafragua to Mr.
Foster.
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Mexico, May 27,
1874.
Sir: The legation of the United States of
America has always been accustomed to hoist its flag when that of the
republic was hoisted, which in due reciprocity has been hoisted when
that of the American legation has been.
That reciprocity was interrupted on the 21st of March of the present
year, and again on the 8th and 15th of the present month.
Although these events are surely no cause to alter or diminish the
cordial relations existing between Mexico and the United States, the
President of the republic has instructed me to address your excellency,
to the end that you may be pleased to inform me whether the American
legation has taken any resolution on the subject, with the sole object
that, determining for the future the practice which may be followed, due
reciprocity may be observed on the part of Mexico.
I reiterate, your excellency, the assurances of the very distinguished
consideration with which I am
Your excellency’s obedient servant,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 159.]
Mr. Foster to Mr.
Lafragua.
Legation of the United States,
Mexico, May 27,
1874.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your excellency’s note of 27th instant, in which you state
that the legation of the United States has been accustomed always to
raise its flag when the flag of the (Mexican) republic has been raised,
which in just reciprocity has been displayed whenever that of the
American legation has been; that this reciprocity was interrupted on the
21st of March of the present year, and on the 8th and 15th instant; and
that although these occurrences are not surely a cause to alter or
diminish the cordial relations which exist between Mexico and the United
States, the President has instructed your excellency to address me to
the end that I may be pleased to inform you whether the American
legation has taken any resolution on this subject, with the sole object,
that determining for the future the practice which may be followed, due
reciprocity may be observed on the part of Mexico. Your excellency will
allow me to state that you have been incorrectly informed as to the
practice of this legation. While the American legation repeatedly during
the year recognizes, by the display of its flag, the national
anniversaries and other public days observed by the Mexican government,
and has always been desirous not to be wanting in any proper exhibition
of courtesy and comity, it has not been its invariable practice to raise
its flag on all the days where that of Mexico was displayed by its
government.
In answer to the inquiry which your excellency makes by order of the
President, it gives me pleasure to inform you that this legation has
taken no new or recent resolution upon the subject.
This legation has never been officially informed of the days which are
observed by the Mexican government. It has, however, been its practice
to display its flag on the anniversary of Mexican independence, of the
promulgation of the present constitution, of the birthday of the
President, of the birth and death of Benito Juarez, (with the accidental
omission of the 21st of March last,) of the semi-annual opening and
closing of the sessions of the National Congress, and of such other
public days, the observance of which might not be construed into a want
of courtesy to other friendly nations. Such will continue to be the
practice of this legation so long as it shall appear to be satisfactory
to the Mexican government. During the past twelve months it has been my
pleasure to display the flag of this legation on eleven separate and
distinct occasions, in observance of Mexican national and public days,
which I trust will be considered by that government a just reciprocity
for the two occasions on which it has honored the anniversary of
American independence and the birthday of Washington. This legation does
not ask, neither does it expect, the Mexican government to raise its
flag on every occasion when that of the legation is raised. For example,
one of the legal anniversaries of the United States, Thanksgiving-day,
is peculiar to my own country, partakes of a religious character, and
the date is fixed each year by a proclamation from the President. It is
proper, in obedience to the proclamation of the President, that the flag
of this legation should be displayed on that American
[Page 754]
anniversary, but it is not expected that
the flags of the Mexican government, or of the foreign legations, shall
also be raised, and it is never considered as an act of discourtesy or
want of just reciprocity to omit its observance. There are, also, other
occasions when, in recognition of occurrences in my own country, it is
proper that the flag of this legation should be raised, when it would be
an unwarranted assumption of reciprocity to expect the same from either
the Mexican government or the foreign legations.
I improve this occasion to assure the Mexican government of the earnest
desire of this legation to omit no proper opportunity to cultivate and
strengthen the cordial relations which exist between the two republics,
and to reiterate to your excellency the expression of my high
consideration and esteem.
