No. 459.
Mr. Morgan
to Mr. Blaine.
Mexico, June 29, 1881. (Received July 11.)
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.
[Page 772]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.,