No. 339.
Mr. Evarts
to Mr. Foster
.
Washington , March 23, 1878.
Sir: It is now several months since you were informed by the Department that the Government of the United States before recognizing General Diaz as the President of Mexico waited to be assured that his administration was approved by the Mexican people, and was possessed of due stability and animated by a disposition to comply with the rules of international comity and the obligations of treaties.
The information which you have communicated since that date in your successive dispatches in reference to the internal affairs of Mexico seems to show that General Diaz has been able to preserve peace for the most part in the country, and that his authority continues to be recognized, practically, throughout the entire republic.
As regards the disposition to comply with the obligations of treaties, it has been gratifying to the Government of the United States to observe on the part of the present authorities of Mexico an increased desire to preserve peace and good order on the frontier, and an endeavor to adopt more vigorous and efficient measures to repress border depredations and raids on the territory of the United States. The prompt payment of two successive installments of the sum awarded by the American-Mexican Claims Commission is also accepted by this government [Page 544] as a substantial evidence of a disposition to observe treaty stipulations.
You state, however, that the government of General Diaz finds itself embarrassed in the discussion of pending matters of difference between the two nations, and placed under constraint in reaching a satisfactory settlement of those matters, by the absence of recognition on the part of the Government of the United States. If this view of the situation be honestly entertained by the Government of General Diaz, it is better for this government to waive its own preferences as to the fittest manner and time of adjusting the difficulties, sufficiently grave, which have prevented a good understanding with a sister republic with which we have so many interests in common. The President, animated by an earnest desire to remove every impediment to an adjustment of all disputed questions between the two governments, will, therefore, authorize you to inform Mr. Vallarta that he deems it no longer necessary or desirable to defer the resumption of diplomatic relations, and the official recognition of the authorities with whom you have so long held unofficial intercourse. You are authorized to say to Mr. Vallarta that henceforth your communications will be official and in the usual form with recognized powers.
You are also instructed to follow this act of recognition by inviting the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to enter with you upon a consideration of some permanent measures for the preservation of peace and the punishment of outlawry upon the frontier, the better protection of American citizens and their interests in Mexico, and the settlement of the various matters of complaint made by the Government of the United States. Your recent visit to this Capital has enabled you to become fully possessed of the views and wishes of the government in regard to those questions. Whenever new emergencies or change of circumstances shall occur requiring newer additional instruction in regard to them, you will be fully and promptly advised by the Department.
I am, &c.,