No. 220.
Mr. Foster
to Mr. Evarts.
Mexico, March 30, 1877. (Received April 13.)
Sir: At the date of ray last dispatch on current events, Governor Alvarez was still resisting the authority of Diaz in the State of Guerrero. Since then the sea-port of Acapulco has been occupied by the Diaz forces, and it is reported that Alvarez has submitted, or at least has ceased his opposition, so that there is now no armed resistance to Diaz in any part of the country. A reasonable degree of peace and order prevails throughout the republic, and the authority of General Diaz is everywhere recognized.
The time fixed for the opening of Congress by the electoral convocation of December 23d last, was on the 12th instant, but at that date there was only a small minority of members present, and owing to the want of a quorum the regular sessions have not yet been inaugurated. It is announced, however, that the requisite number of members of the House of Deputies is now present, and that within a few days, as soon as the credentials are examined, that body will be formally opened by General Diaz.
The electoral convocation made no reference to the Chamber of Senators, and neither provided for the election of new members, as in the case of the Chamber of Deputies, nor for its meeting at the time fixed for the other legislative branch of the government. At the time the convocation was issued, it was supposed to be the intention of the new government to abolish omissively the Senate, notwithstanding its existence is sanctioned by express constitutional enactment. It is now reported that General Diaz desires to rectify this omission in the electoral convocation, and to conform to the constitution by assembling the Senate.
Connected with this subject is the question of the powers and character of the Chamber of Deputies. According to the constitutional order, the present session should be devoted to the consideration of the financial budget, should terminate its functions on the 31st of May as the Eighth Congress, and an election for the Ninth Congress be held in June or July next.
[Page 401]The question is therefore suggested as to whether this is to be considered the last session of the Eighth, or, by virtue of the revolutionary convocation, the Ninth Congress.
The doubt is also raised as to whether, under the constitution, one branch of the legislative power can exercise its functions without the concurrent session of the other. The cabinet of General Diaz is understood to maintain that the Chamber of Deputies can, without the session of the Senate, legally discharge all such duties as are by the constitution exclusively delegated to it, as the revision of the returns of the electoral colleges, and the declaration of the result of the election for President and the Federal Supreme Court, as also the consideration of the appropriation bills.
These subjects will give special interest to the proceedings of the deputies. It is supposed that one of their earliest acts will be the formal declaration of the election of General Diaz as constitutional President, as he has received almost unanimously the votes of the electors. He will then terminate his provisional or revolutionary term, and, taking the oath anew, enter upon what will be styled his constitutional term as President.
Mr. Lerdo, under date of February 24, from New York City, and Mr. Iglesias, under date of the 15th instant, from New Orleans, have issued their respective manifestoes to the Mexican people, each claiming to be the constitutional custodian of the executive power, and announcing their determination to persist in their claims. I do not inclose copies of these papers for the reason that, having been issued in the United States, it is presumed that you are informed of their contents.
These publications indicate a renewal of strife in this republic, and a continuance of the revolutionary era.
A number of prominent public men, adherents of Mr. Lerdo, have been during the past week summarily arrested in this city and sent to Vera Cruz, suspected of conspiracy against the existing government.
I am, &c.,