Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 5, 1881

No. 459.
Mr. Morgan to Mr. Blaine.

Legation of the United States,
Mexico, June 29, 1881. (Received July 11.)

No. 217.]

Sir: On the 21st instant I was called on by Mr. Sullivan, representing the Mexican National Construction Company, who informed me that the company which he represented was desirous to build a railroad bridge from some point near Laredo, in Texas, across the Rio Grande, and he asked me whether I would communicate the fact to you by telegraph and ask whether the United States would object to the proposed work. He informed me that on the part of the Mexican Government the President would give the consent necessary.

I replied to him that if Mr. Mariscal would address a note to me in that sense, I would telegraph you.

On the day following (22d) I received a confidential note from Mr. Mariscal in which he said the President had instructed him to say that, in so far as Mexico was concerned, the company might build the bridge.

A copy of his note I inclose. It is not dated, but I received it on the 22d of this month.

I accordingly telegraphed you; a copy of my telegram I inclose.

On the 28th instant I received your telegram dated the 27th June, in which you inform me that the Executive, while not assuming the right to authorize the construction of the bridge across the national boundary at Laredo, will permit it to be done, subject to the sanction of Congress and the rights of the State of Texas.

The substance of this telegram I communicated to Mr. Mariscal in a confidential note which I addressed to him on the 28th instant, a copy of which I inclose.

I have also read the telegram to Mr. James Sullivan, the representative of the railroad company at whose instance I sent the telegram, which is the occasion of this dispatch.

I am, &c.,

P. H. MORGAN.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 217.]

Mr. Mariscal to Mr. Morgan.

[Confidential.]

My Dear Mr. Morgan: Mr. James Sullivan and his lawyer Mr. Luiz Mendez have informed me that you are disposed to telegraph to your government for a permission to build a draw-bridge connecting Laredo, Tex., with Fueno Laredo, Mex., if I communicate to you in a confidential manner that the Mexican Government will grant such permission on its part.

Having consulted the President, I am at liberty to tell you that the Mexican Government is ready to give the permission above mentioned.

Yours, &c.,

IGNACIO MARISCAL.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 217.—Telegram.]

Mr. Morgan to Mr. Blaine.

The Mexican National Construction Compay desire to build a railroad bridge across the Rio Grande at or near Laredo. They wish me to ask whether the United States will permit them to do so. I am authorized to say that the Mexican Government will give its consent.

P. H. MORGAN.

July 23, 1881.

[Inclosure 3 in No. 217.]

Mr. Morgan to Mr. Mariscal.

Legation of the United States,
Mexico, June 28, 1881.

Confidential.]

Dear Mr. Mariscal: The day following the one upon which I received your note I telegraphed the Secretary of State that I felt authorized to say that the Mexican Government would oppose no objection to the building of a railroad bridge across the Rio Grande, or near Laredo, by the Mexican Railroad Construction Company, and I asked the secretary whether there would be any objection thereto on the part of the United States.

Last night I received a telegram from Secretary Blaine in which he informs me that the Executive, while not assuming the right to authorize the construction of a bridge across the national boundary, will permit it to be done, subject to the sanction of Congress and the rights of the State of Texas.

I am, &c.,

P. H. MORGAN.