Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 4, 1883

No. 417.
Mr. Morgan to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Legation of the United States,
Mexico, September 18, 1883. (Received October 6.)

No. 688.]

Sir: The Mexican Congress assembled in regular session on the 16th instant. Inclosed I transmit the message of the President, as published in the Diario Oficial of the 17th, together with a translation of the same.

I am, &c.,

P. H. MORGAN.

[Inclosure.—Translated from the Diario Oflcial, 17th September, 1883.]

president’s message to congress.

Message of the citizen President of the Republic, delivered to the Eleventh Congress at the opening of the third session thereof, on the 16th of September, 1883.

Gentlemen Deputies, Gentlemen Senators: In rendering to you, to-day, for the sixth time, a general statement of the condition of the Republic, it is pleasant for me to inform you that we continue our rapid advance in the path of order and progress upon which a few years ago we embarked, with the applause and for the benefit of our own countrymen and of other nations. The difficulties of an administrative character which I possessed you of in my last message have claimed and have received all the consideration from the authorities which they demanded. They are of the class of difficulties which, from time to time, appear in Governments even more thoroughly organized than ours, and are far from seriously compromising the happiness or prosperity of our country.

Our relations with the Governments of friendly nations grow more satisfactory every day.

By a special convention entered into and signed in this city on the 28th of June last, the convention entered into in Washington, which provided for the reciprocal passage of troops across the boundary of each country when in pursuit of savage Indians, has been prorogued for one year, which term expires on the 18th of August, 1884.

The Mexican and American Commission appointed to make the preliminary surveys, in conformity with the convention of the 29th of July, 1882, met at El Paso del Norte on the 4th of July last, and commenced work the middle of that month.

Mexico has named the persons who were to be adpointed on her behalf on the international commission to repair the monuments on the boundary line, and they arrived at Paso del Norte a short time before the expiration of the date fixed therefor by the convention referred to.

On the 1st of May of the present year ratifications were exchanged at this capital of the boundary treaty with Guatemala. The minister of that republic and our department for foreign affairs signed, during the past week, the agreement provided for by Article IV of the said treaty, to determine the details relating to the scientific commission whose duty it will be to establish the boundaries, and their respective labors. It is expected that the work thereon will be commenced within the time prescribed. And thus the long pending boundary question approaches its end, and will soon disappear, to the mutual benefit of both Republics.

The presence of our legations in the several Central American states has dissipated the prejudices and errors engendered by distance and isolation, and we are now cultivating with their respective Governments a sincere friendship.

On the 26th of July last the ratifications of a treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation, which was celebrated on the 5th of December, 1882, with Germany, were exchanged in this city. The one celebrated with Italy in the year 1870, and which should have expired on the 30th of June last, as I informed you in my message of April last, has, by common accord, been prorogued for one year, and will, therefore, terminate on the 30th of June, 1884.

The department for foreign affairs reported to the Senate in the month of May last that a certain convention had been entered into between the Mexican and British Governments relating to the reciprocal sending of diplomatic agents, to be simultaneously appointed, empowered to arrange the basis of a renewal of diplomatic relations between the two Governments, relations which, unhappily, have been interrupted for sixteen years. These appointments were made on the 29th of May, in accordance with the term which had been agreed upon. The special envoy of Great Britain has been at his post since the end of July, and ours has been at his since the beginning of the month of August.

In respect of our interior relations, the executive has preserued, with the States of the union, the best harmony, faithfully and strictly observing the requirements of the federal compact.

Nothing worthy of special mention has troubled the public peace and security throughout the national territory, for although it is true that some restless spirits of communistic tendencies have endeavored to disturb the public order at several points in the State of San Luis Potosi and Puebla, the measures which were immediately taken by the governors of these States, as well as by the Federal Executive, put an end to the trifling disorders.

Local elections, regularly held, have taken place in the States of Aguas Calieutes, Campeachy, Chiapas, Queretaro, Sonora, and Tabasco. For several years experience has shown that the hygienic conditions of the capital grow daily worse and worse, and although the causes of this serious evil are known, it is altogether impossible to apply the remedy required, for the reason that the funds at the present disposal of the municipality are greatly reduced, and, notwithstanding the stictest economy, scarcely suffice to defray those most urgent and indispensable expenditures which cannot be postponed. It being unwise, as well as unworthy, of the capital of the Republic to continue for an indefinite period in this painful condition, the ajunta-miento has determined to contract a loan of $2,000,000. This project is now being considered by the department of the interior. This money is to be employed, by preference, upon public works of the most remunerative character, so that at the same time that the amortization of the loan, which is now sufficiently guaranteed by the property and revenues of the municipality, means will be forthcoming to improve the hygienic conditions of the city.

In conformity with the authority granted to the President by the law of the 20th of ‘April, 1882, a new postal code has been prepared, and regulations under it are being prepared with a view of putting it in force on the 1st of January next.

The radical changes introduced by the code must produce important advantage to the public, among which are the reduced and uniform rate of postage, without reference to distance, the sale and free circulation of postage stamps, the establishing of a money-order system, and the organization of a delivery by carriers throughout the country, in conformity with the most approved systems which have been adopted by other countries. With the view of carrying out the provisions of the code, and to improve the postal service at the same time, contracts have been entered into for the establishing of new postal routes, principally in the frontier States, where they are most needed; it has been determined that communication shall be more frequent; the creation of new agencies has been determined upon; and, lastly, utilizing the railroads now in operation, which, when completed, will give us a daily communication with the United States, and, through them, with Europe. This important service will soon be properly accomplished.

As regards the department of justice, I have to inform you that district judges have been appointed at Paso del Norte, Piedras Negras, and Nuevo Laredo, as provided by the decree of the 23d of May last, and of three supernumerary judges to each of the tribunals of the district of Mexico, in accordance with the disposition of the decree of the 8th of June of the present year. With the view of complying with the decree of the 20th of June, 1883, the department of justice, assisted by a committee of the Chamber of Deputies, and of a commission specially appointed to that end, has in daily sessions occupied itself with the revision of the project of a commercial code, and it is to be hoped that its labors will soon be terminated. In order to harmonize the precepts consigned in the ordinance of the 23d of August, 1877, with those of the code of penal procedure of the 15th of September, 1880, a new ordinance was published on the 26th of June last upon articles 71, 72, and 73 of the penal code.

I recommend to Congress the prompt adoption of the suggestions presented by the executive on the 2d of May of this year upon the subject of the reforms to the civil code and code of civil procedure for the federal district and territory of Lower California, as well as to that referring to the organic law of article 96 of the constitution.

On the 16th of May last the minister in charge of the department of public instruction established the course of preparatory studies to be pursued by persons desiring to become engineers, which modifies all the rules upon that subject which had been established by the general law which organized public instruction. By reason of unforeseen difficulties, it has not yet been possible to open the national library to the public, but these difficulties will soon disappear, and it will be definitely inaugurated on the 5th of February, 1884.

Finally, the same department continues to employ itself with the project of a normal school, and proposes to present in a short time to the enlightened consideration of the Chambers, suggestions belonging thereto, to the end that, once resolved upon, an establishment of so much importance to the public instruction may be organized.

The various enterprises which are under the control of the department of public works continue to be rapidly developed. The Central Railroad Company has actively continued the construction of the lines which have been conceded to it. The one which starts from the frontier has lately reached Villa Lerdo, 800 kilometers distant from El Paso, and the one which starts from this capital going northward is completed as far as Aguas Calientes. The roads completed by this company exceed 1,500 kilometers.

The National Construction Company also continue to progress with their work in the region of country through which their roads are to pass. On their Pacific line rails have been placed as far as Morelia. On the one towards the north, starting from Acambero, work has been completed beyond Celaya, reaching half way between that city and San Miguel de Allende. Towards the north, the line which comes from Nuevo Laredo has reached Saltillo, and on the one from Matamoros to Monterey the company has completed 57 kilometers. Up to now this enterprise has constructed more than 1,000 kilometers of road. That which is known as the International Construction Company, which commenced to work at Piedras Negras, and has constructed 117 kilometers, and has erected a permanent bridge over the Rio Bravo. Among the other enterprises is to he mentioned the Transatlantic Railroad between Vera Cruz and Acapulco, which has constructed 318 kilometers; the one from Vera Cruz to Alvarado has completed 68 kilometers; the one from Puebla to Izucar de Matamoros, 38; those in the State of Hidalgo, 87, and the one from Santa Anna to Tlaxcala has completed the tramway which connects the capital of the State with the Mexican Railroad. The rainy season has interfered with the prosecution of the National Railroad of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec as rapidly as the Government could have wished; 76 kilometers of the same have been completed. The surveys for the route are in an advanced state of progress.

The Tehuantepec Ship Railroad enterprise has completed the survey and determined upon the route thereof, and is now preparing the plans which have to be submitted for the approbation of the Government. According to the report of the inspecting engineer, the necessary preparations are being made to enable work to be commenced as soon as the plans shall be approved.

Congress can appreciate the progress made in railroads by the total number of kilometers which have been constructed in the whole of the Republic, and which exceeds 4,800.

The work for the improvement of the harbor of Vera Cruz is being prosecuted, and in others, such as Progreso and Tuxpan, piers are being constructed.

Preparations are being made for work of the same character. A contract has also been entered into for the improvement of the port of Mazatlan.

The federal telegraph lines are being extended throughout the Republic, and are being erected either by the Government itself or by contraction. The increase in the federal lines which has taken place since the last session of Congress amounts to 500 kilometers. The total federal lines exceed 18,000 kilometers. State lines of private companies are not included in this estimate.

The departments of agriculture and mines have received the particular attention of the executive. General commissions are surveying in different sections of the country, and one of a purely scientific character has been organized, which will serve as a center and give direction and uniformity to the several geological, botanical, and zoological surveys which are being made throughout the vast extent of the Republic.

With a view to giving a new impulse to agriculture, the department of fomento has continued to distribute plants brought from abroad; has caused the propagation of others in several of our States in which they have not heretofore been cultivated, and has furnished directions for the proper cultivation of all said plants.

A contract has been entered into for the importation of Belgian colonists, skilled in the cultivation of flax, who will be employed solely in that industry in the country. The silk industry has also received a stimulus; silk-worms, mulberry plants, spinning machines, and with detailed directions relating to silk culture, have been distributed.

In order to extend the importation of textiles, a contract has been entered into for acquisition of improved machines for the separation of the fiber from plants, which will be distributed in the different sections where textile plants abound.

The spawn of different species of fish have been ordered, and studies have been made, with the view of repopulating our waters. Animals have also been purchased with a view of improving the breeds of the country, and a place has been set apart at the school of agriculture for the breeding and rearing of some of the best of these animals.

A commission is engaged in adopting elementary texts upon the objective system, and for the instruction of children in the country schools. They will be printed at the printing office recently established by the department of fomento.

Another commission is engaged in studying the proper means for the protection of useful animals.

With the view of inducing immigration to our sparsely populated country, the Executive has made contracts with various persons, upon the best terms he could obtain, for the transportation and establishing of immigrants. One of the most important of these contracts is the one entered into with the Mexican Transatlantic Company, whose steamers will commence to run in the month of November next, and who have agreed to convey emigrants on their own account to the number of 1,000, the Government only paying their passage.

The establishing of a printing office by the department of fomento, which has already been alluded to, has given rise in that department to the idea of publishing an historical library, reprinting not only rare works and works of the greatest importance, but also some works which have not heretofore been published. To this end a commission, composed of men distinguished in literature, has been appointed to direct the proposed publications.

Finally, as respects the department of fomento, the Executive permits himself to again recommend to Congress the adoption of the important suggestions which he has had the honor to submit for its approval; such as those relating to colonization, to patents of invention or improvements therein, and those relating to navigable and floatable rivers.

As regards the department of finance and public credit, I have the satisfaction to inform Congress that the adoption of the new system in the keeping of the public accounts continues to produce the best results; among others, that of furnishing the Executive, whenever required, such exact information as enables him to appreciate the movements in the public revenues and the condition of the treasury. According to information taken from the accounts corresponding to the last fiscal year, which are nearly completed, the federal receipts for that period exceeded $33,000,000, which exceeds by upwards of 3,000,000 the year preceding.

In these receipts are included $18,000,000 duties on imports, and although these receipts during the last two years have been increased by exceptional causes, and to a considerable amount, if they be substracted, a comparison between the receipts of 1881–1882 with those of 1882–1883 will show a difference of 2,000,000 in favor of the latter.

Besides, notwithstanding the monetary crisis through which the country passed about the middle of the last fiscal term, the receipts greatly increased, although, as the Executive informed Congress at the opening of its last session, the increase was not so great as it was from 1879 to 1885.

This condition of things justifies the opinion that the progress of the country rests on a solid and permanent basis, and will produce more complete and satisfactory results as the international and interoceanic railroads are completed, and others are extended or projected, and when the banking institutions of the country shall be more firmly established, and the public debt shall have been funded. These considerations cannot fail to exercise a powerful influence in the development of our elements of riches, and improve the economic condition of the Republic.

Congress, inspired by considerations of transcendent importance to the national credit, saw fit, by a law of the 14th of June of the present year, to authorize the Executive to arrange and correct the public debt. Acting under the authority, measures have been taken to accomplish this important object, and are now nearly completed.

As regards the debt contracted by the Republic in London, I have the honor to inform Congress that the project of settlement with the holders of these titles demanded, in the opinion of the Executive, important modifications favorable to the country, modifications which were proposed to the holders of the bonds, through a duly-authorized agent of the Mexican Government. Pending the result of these negotiations, the Executive assures Congress that the basis of the settlement and conversion of the public debt will be established upon a uniform rule which will apply to the debts arising from every source, and in strict conformity with the term of the law of the 14th of June last.

The Executive has also been authorized to effect a loan of $20,000,000. Formal negotiations have been entered upon in this direction, and the Executive hopes that they will be satisfactorily, and at an early day, concluded.

Under the authority granted to the Executive by the revenue law in force to determine the most Effective manner for carrying out the stamp tax upon merchandise, he will issue the necessary orders in respect of tobacco and textiles of Mexican manufacture, so that they may take effect at the commencement of the year 1884.

The delay in this promulgation has been necessarily retarded in order that the offices should be provided with a sufficient quantity of stamps, and that the service should not be retarded from the want thereof.

The amendment to article 124 of the constitution, which fixes the 1st day of December, 1884, as the date upon which the alcabales (excise) and interior custom-houses shall seize the idea, suggested itself to the Vera Cruz Government that a conference of the local and federal authorities should be held, with the view of devising suitable measures to prevent the accomplishment of these measures from producing financial disturbances from the want of precautionary measures to prevent them. In this sense he invited the Executive, if he should be of the same opinion, to convoke a conference.

As this suggestion conforms to the constitutional obligation of the federal powers of the Union to prevent the establishing of onerous restrictions upon commerce between the States, and that it is particularly necessary to put in practice an idea which is designed to avoid possible troubles and to make it uniform as far as possible, the executive power accorded with pleasure to the request of the Vera Cruz Government, and has convoked a conference to be held in this capital on the 1st of October next.

The invitation having been favorably received by the governors of the several States, a large number of them have already named the persons who are to represent them in the conference, and there is reason to believe that the meeting will take place without difficulty, and that it will produce satisfactory results, which will put an end to this question. The work of reform to the customs tariff has been actively pursued, and I am happy to be able to inform Congress that it is in an advanced state.

The public expenses are regularly met. The sum paid to railroad companies I amounts to $7,000,000, in accordance with their respective contracts.

The increase of the public revenues, which has taken place despite of unfavorable financial circumstances, the influence of grand industrial enterprises which are being developed under circumstances propitious to the public peace, aided by the active protection of the Government, and lastly the mobilization of the titles of the public debt, which gives a new and powerful element to mercantile activity and to the development of wealth, constitute to the eye of the executive power certain guarantees that in the future the federal treasury will be able to meet not only its actual obligations, but also those which will arise in the payment of the debt when the arrangements for its conversion will have been perfected.

With reference to the department of war and marine, it is not unimportant to say that a military photographic bureau has been established in that department. This bureau will prove of great utility, as among the work to be done by it will be the copying and reduction of designs for the making of a general map of the Republic, which is being successfully made in various geographical districts by special officers attached to the staff and commissioners appointed by the department of public works.

The printing and correction of the rules for the government of every department of the army is being admirably carried on. Two batteries of steel guns of the Debange system have been received here, being a portion of those contracted for with the St. Chamand factory, in France, on the 18th of October of last year. By the end of this year the balance of those contracted for should be received.

The work on the military college at Chapultepec are nearly completed. In this establishment some of the courts have been enlarged to the benefit of the cadets.

As regards our navy, I have the pleasure to inform you that the floating dock at Lermahas been armed, and that it will be launched to-day.

Iron and bronze foundries have been established in the arsenals of Lerma and Acapulco.

Lastly, our small marine has, up to now, been administered according to the ancient naval ordinances of Spain; the adoption of a marine code is a great necessity. With a view of presenting to Congress a suggestion for one, a commission has been appointed to prepare one and is now employed upon it.

Gentlemen Deputies, Gentlemen Senators: If on the one hand the progress which has been accomplished, and that which we are about to realize in all the departments of the administration is apparent, and if, on the other hand, financial difficulties have not taken and are not likely to assume alarming proportions, but on the contrary may be and have been overcome, the belief does not appear presumptuous, nor one too confidently expressed, that the general condition of the country is good, if it is not absolutely satisfactory. On the other hand, the constitution confides to your persevering patriotism ample powers to promote and realize the greatest good to the Republic. Now, as heretofore, you will not falter in the grave and sacred trust, in which you may rely upon the Executive for assistance to the full measure of all of his powers.