No. 369.
Mr. Strother to Mr. Hunter.
City of Mexico, October 4, 1879. (Received October 20.)
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your dispatch No. 18, inclosing copies of correspondence from A. Willard, esq., United States consul at Guaymas.
It must be confessed that the general tone of the consular correspondence from the States on the west coast is extremely discouraging, especially to those who have indulged in hopes of a rapid and profitable extension of commercial relations between the United States and this Republic; nevertheless it is possible that observations from a more central and comprehensive stand-point may enable us to view these dark pictures in a more cheerful light.
The temptations to smuggling offered by a high tariff and an extensive sea-coast and frontier line imperfectly guarded, are patent enough and readily understood. So the waspish temper and hostile relations between revenue officers and traders in their respective endeavors to enforce and evade the revenue laws. These we may hope are temporary evils which more advanced views in political economy may enable the Mexican Government to modify if not to correct entirely.
Besides these special causes, have we not good reasons to believe that the decadence of commerce and prosperity on the western coast, so vividly depicted by the consul at La Paz, is only a reflected consequence of the general suffering which has been more or less felt by all the great nations of the world during the last decade, and have we not equally good reasons to hope that, in spite of special vexations and hinderances, this unfortunate region will again revive with that general return of prosperity to which we are all looking forward with well-founded confidence?
The law referred to in Consul Willard’s letter “prohibiting foreigners from acquiring property within twenty leagues of the border,” and to which you have especially directed my attention, is a tradition of the old Spanish viceroys, who watched their northern frontier with a kind of Oriental jealousy.
Mexican writers of distinction attribute the loss of Texas, and all the humiliations and misfortunes of the war of 1847–’48, to the ignoring of that policy, and the generous but short-sighted invitation to free immigration which was proclaimed by Mexico after the establishment of her independence.
[Page 839]In brief, the key to all Mexican policy in dealing with the United States is to be found in one simple and controlling idea, the natural jealousy and instinctive dread felt by a nation conscious of its weakness in the presence of a rival whose power and resources are comparatively unlimited.
Consul Turner has well understood and applied this idea in describing affairs in Lower California. To this feeling must be attributed the recent rejection by this government of the petition of the people of that region for the opening of a new port on their coast, and still further the proposition to close the consulate at the important port of San Jose del Cabo, recently made vacant by the death of Consul Gillespie.
To this sentiment, which prevails to a greater or less extent in all sections and controls all parties, may be also attributed the persistent rejection of all plans for international railroads presented by American companies upon the principle “that it is better to forego the evident and acknowledged advantages proposed than to run the risk of national absorption.”
This feeling has been recently aroused into greater activity by the discovery of silver mines of extraordinary richness near the northern border, and the consequent influx of large numbers of American adventurers into the Mexican Territory.
It also appears that these mining lands are located in a desert region near the undefined boundaries of three adjoining sovereign States, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Durango, whose governors and people are reported to have risen in arms to assert and defend their respective rights and boundaries. Three thousand Federal troops have been ordered to the Sierra Mojada, for the purpose of preserving order. The Federal Congress in secret session, it is said, has ordered the occupation of the disputed territory, including the mines, and its erection into a separate State under federal jurisdiction. The opposition papers denounce this action as usurpation and unconstitutional, and maintain that it will provoke combined resistance from the injured and insulted States. The government press support the legality of the act, and justify its necessity for the preservation of public order.
In the foregoing presentation of facts and observations maybe found, perhaps, a sufficient explanation of the recent promulgation and enforcement of the law alluded to in Consul Willard’s dispatch.
Meanwhile, the more fully and clearly to express my understanding of the feeling toward the United States in this country, I will continue my observations on that subject.
Notwithstanding the political and national jealousies controlling all public action, a very large and respectable class in this capital and elsewhere in this Republic are ready to welcome Americans and American influences with friendly cordiality.
The Liberal party, which now has undisputed control in the country, has modeled itself upon American institutions and opinion. All their political forms and formula are closely imitated after those of the United States. They have proclaimed and maintained perfect religious liberty. They have a free press, which discusses all questions of public interest with an ability, dignity, and freedom not surpassed in any other capital. The subject of public education is entertained with especial zeal and solicitude, and few cities can boast of schools in greater numbers or higher character than the city of Mexico. They have shown the greatest earnestness and persistence in their endeavors to promote the material prosperity of their country, and are developing, slowly indeed, but with zeal and intelligence, a net-work of railroads which will in time [Page 840] connect all their chief cities and sea-ports. In short, in this capital and in her principal centers of population, Mexico is slowly, but decidedly, moving with the age in opinion, manners, and material improvement. Her statesmen understand the difficulties and obstructions with which she has to contend, and recognize her need of assistance. Immigration from Europe is encouraged and cordially welcomed. The Germans are especially esteemed, because of their intelligence, thrift, and industry, and unobtrusive habits.
But among the thinkers here, as elsewhere, it is well understood that the Great American Republic is the arbiter of the destinies of Mexico. From that quarter only can come such immigration or pecuniary assistance as might in a brief period develop the resources and change the character of Mexican civilization.
As the recognized model and protector of Mexican Republicanism, that power alone stands ready and able to accomplish that which every patriotic Mexican most desires for his country. A frightful specter stands in the way—the dread of absorption. Whether the United States Government may see fit, or may be able, to adopt a policy that might serve in some degree to allay this controlling apprehension, is a question to be considered by those to whom it pertains.
With but few advantages for observation and my brief residence here, I should perhaps apologize for having undertaken to write so much at length upon subjects which have been carefully investigated by those whose opportunities and abilities may have enabled them to form juster judgments, but since my coming here I have become deeply interested in the subject before us, and, in response to your courteous invitation for a freer and fuller correspondence, I submit my hasty observations for what they may be worth.
We have daily and agreeable news from Minister Foster, who, in his journey through the Republic, is everywhere received with cordial welcome and distinguished honors.
I have, &c.,