Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, For the Year 1887, Transmitted to Congress, With a Message of the President, June 26, 1888

No. 487.
Mr. Manning to Mr. Bayard.

Legation of the United States,
Mexico, September 20, 1887. (Received September 28.)

No. 221.]

Sir: The autumn session of the Mexican Congress opened on the night of the 16th instant, when the President read his address, a copy and translation of which is inclosed.

You will note with satisfaction his observations touching the friendly relations of his Government with the United States.

I am, etc.,

Th. C. Manning.

[Inclosure in No. 22.—Translation.]

Address delivered by the President of the Republic upon the opening of the third period of sessions of the Thirteenth Congress of the union, on September 16, 1887.

Messrs. Deputies and Senators: Great is ray pleasure to-day to find you gathered here for the purpose of performing your august duties, now that I appear before you to inform you of the condition of public affairs.

Generally speaking, our friendly relations with the Governments of other countries remain unchanged, and are on the same cordial basis to which I referred last April. We continue to cultivate like harmony with the United States of America. While diplomatic complaints, based upon the interests of individuals who consider themselves aggrieved, are pending between both countries, that is but a result of the contact consequent upon close vicinage, rendered even closer by railroad traffic, which is designed, however, to result eventually in positive good to both nations.

The treaty for the relocation of the boundary limits between the two countries is now in force, but is not yet executed, because the United States Congress is still to authorize the expenses of the commission which, in connection with ours, is to relocate the boundary line.

On account of another rising of Indians on the San Carlos Reservation at the commencement of June, the United States Government expressed its wish that the agreement for the reciprocal crossing of troops over the boundary line, when in pursuit of hostile Indians, and which expired by limitation last November, should be renewed. Answer was made through our representative in Washington that we were disposed to grant the extension, with certain modifications dictated to us by experience.

The extradition of two Americans, perpetrators of scandalous crimes in Matamoras, has been refused on the grounds, often specified before, that the present treaty does not oblige the delivery of citizens of either country, nor can the President of the United States require the extradition of citizens of that Republic. This evinces the necessity that our Senate should confirm the extradition treaty, submitted thereto some time since, and thus authorize the Presidents of both countries for the delivery of their respective citizens, provided they consider that the interests of justice demand it.

The building to be occupied by our legation in Washington has been finished and delivered, and merely lacks some of the work of ornamentation, and the furnishings of the residences and offices.

The telegraph convention made with Guatemala has been duly promulgated, and has commenced to operate, yielding important advantages to commerce and to the public in general.

Upon the request of the Government of that nation, and in evidence of our friendly feelings toward it, various Guatemalians accused of conspiring against the public order in that country were arrested within 20 leagues of the frontier, the Executive resorting to the measure of threatening them with an application of the thirty-third article of the constitution, as he did not consider himself authorized to compel them in any other manner.

The second secretary of our legation in Central America was the victim of a criminal attack by a citizen of Guatemala. The delinquent having been condemned to a penalty disproportionate to the laws, our minister received instructions to request the punishment of the judges and the magistrates responsible for the trial.

Meanwhile, at the close of last June, the President of that Republic, by a coup d’etat, abolished the constitutional regime. I received a telegram from General Barillas carefully advising me of the change which had transpired, but no explanation therefor was given. My reply, in effect, was that the Mexican Government was disposed to favor whatever” the Government of the people of Guatemala, in the exercise of their sovereignty, might decide upon touching the institutions which should govern them; and as, under such circumstances, the will of that people could not be known, instructions were sent to our minister that, until further notice, he should not officially recognize the administration thus initiated.

An incident then occurred which could be associated with political events. The second secretary of our legation was a second time attacked; this time the assailant escaping under cover of the night. The efforts of our representative to obtain satisfaction for such outrages did not meet with friendly advances from the new Government of Guatemala, but lately that Government has given some pledges upon the matter, and upon the final result of those promises will depend the attitude we assume towards that country for the defense of our interests.

For the protection of trade-marks a convention has been signed in this city by the plenipotentiaries of Mexico and Spain, and it will be at once submitted to the Senate for revision.

The treaty of commerce and navigation agreed upon by Mexico and France, and which was approved by the Senate, has also been approved by the Senate of France, and is awaiting the exchange of ratifications. Peace and public safety have not been disturbed throughout the Union, due in great measure to the care with which the State governments second the efforts of the Executive for the preservation thereof, as well as to the zeal unceasingly displayed by the city and country forces especially allotted to that purpose.

Our institutions continue in free development, and the Mexican people foster the same and assist the Government most efficiently in the sustenance of liberty and of reform—the firm foundations of our political existence.

The States of Aguas Calientes, Campeache, Colima, Queretaro, and Nuevo Leon have held their regular elections. Tabasco has also held her election, and that important act has re-established the constitutional status temporarily disturbed by the resignation of the governor and the voluntary dissolution of the legislature.

A division occurred lately in Chihuahua among the members of that State’s legislature. But their patriotism led them to quickly end their differences, and the body continued to engage in its high duties.

Among the measures designed for the establishment of Tepic as a federal territory one of the most important was the provision of funds to the several municipalities which should be adequate to their needs and requirements.

The Executive, therefore, in the exercise of the authority vested in him by the law of December 11, 1884, issued the law of August 26 last.

The postal service acquires greater proportions every day. The proceeds of the postal department have increased until now they almost equal the proceeds realized from the high tariff in force four years ago. During the past fiscal year mail matter has amounted to 18,000,000 pieces; that is to say, nearly three times the number of pieces that circulated during the last year in which the old tariff was operative. While this increase has doubtless been due to an enlargement of the volume of private business in the republic, under the protecting shadow of peace and the fostering influence of public improvement, still the principal cause has unquestionably been the increase in the facilities and frequency of the service and the cheapness of postage rates.

The postal convention made between Mexico and the United States of America was approved by the Mexican Senate and the President of the United States; it was duly ratified in Washington, and went into effect on July 1 of the current year. The departments of the interior and of the treasury issued their respective regulations for its execution, and have carefully endeavored to give the public all possible assistance for the exchange with the United States of mail matter, such as letters, papers, samples, and packages.

In order to facilitate communication between the interior of the Republic and the territory of Lower California, and taking advantage of the railroad line from this capital to the port of San Diego, United States, a contract has been made with the Mexican International Company for steamboat service, and a line of steamers is now running between San Diego and Ensenada de Todos Santos.

This service, at present, is being rendered gratis, the subvention allotted to the company not becoming operative until November 28 next.

Though the cholera has almost entirely disappeared from the Argentine Republic and from Chili, it has reappeared in some points of Italy. For that reason the boards of health have been again cautioned to observe the requirements of the regulations in force touching the arrival of vessels from Sicily and other Italian possessions where cholera is or may be found. On August 26 last, also, a circular was issued allowing vessels hailing from ports infected with small-pox to enter our ports under certain restrictive conditions.

All possible advance is made on the works of the drainage of the valley and the penitentiary.

The important matter of public charities is also receiving especial attention.

The Monte de Piedad has elicited the profound interest of the Executive. While announcing to you to-day, with satisfaction, that its liabilities are reduced to a small amount, I should state that a proposition is on foot to enable that beneficent institution to recover completely its lost prestige and to carry out its noble aims.

A special commission has been appointed to study the modifications to be made in the commercial code, in pursuance of the decree of July 4 of the current year, authorizing the Executive to modify the code totally or in part.

The commission charged with formulating the code of procedure for the federal courts is actively engaged In its labors, and has published the first part of its report.

As the Normal College at present is only for men, competent persons have been instructed to frame a plan for the transformation of the girls’ second grade school into a normal school for lady teachers.

The Preparatory College, under certain rules approved by the department of public instruction, has commenced to hold public conferences given by the pupils, and which will result in popularizing science, and will stimulate the application of the scholars.

In the Medical College certain classes formerly detached have been united under one teacher, and the funds heretofore employed in those classes have reverted into three new classes absolutely necessary in a medical educational course. The board of directors has also been instructed, in accord with the school board, to study some plan of general modification for all the studies in the college.

Like improvements have been effected in the School of Commerce by the addition of a class in arithmetic and mercantile correspondence, this addition being demanded by the fact of au increase in the number of pupils to such an extent that they could not readily receive instruction from one teacher. Two classes also in stenography and Spanish language have been added to the course, and have proved already of great advantage to the curriculum.

The branches dependent upon the department of public works are being constantly, developed, the new impulse given to railroad construction being especially noteworthy. The International Railroad Company is engaged in constructing the line which is to place Pieclras Negras in communication with a point on the Central near Villa Lerdo, and which on account of the rapidity of construction will probably, as announced by the company, be finished by December next. This capital will thus have anew lino of communication with the frontier, in length 615 kilometers.

With no less activity the Central Railroad is pushing the work on its Irapuato-Guadalajara branch, which was commenced last May, and it is said that the line will be concluded early next year. Work is also being prosecuted on the lines from Tampico to San Luis Potosi, although not as rapidly, owing to the difficulties encountered in construction on account of the topography of the country. The new Mexican National Company, having acquired by public auction some of the lines conceded to the old company of the same name, has just begun the construction of the road, which will shortly link Saltillo with San Miguel Allende, passing through San Luis Potosi.

Worthy of mention are the Yucatan railroads, for they continue their labors, though slowly. Since last April they have finished 6 kilometers on the Meridar-Calkini line, 9 on the line to Sotuta, and 6 on that to Peto. Mention should also be made of the construction of a branch on the Central Railroad, from the station of Marquez to Zimapan passing by the hacienda of the Astillero, a branch constructed without the expenditure of any subvention, and being the first work on that line.

The satisfactory condition of the Federal telegraph service was evinced during the past rainy season, which was so violent throughout the country. In spite of the rains, communication has not been interrupted seriously, the breaks in the service having been unimportant and of short duration. Not only have the lines existing in April been kept in good condition and repaired whenever necessary, but they have been multiplied. Among the new lines mention should be made of that put up in Sonora to run to Nogales, thus placing that isolated point in connection with the rest of the country and all the states of the Republic. The following telegraph lines were also finished: Tuxpan to Vera Cruz via Jalapa; the double wire from Nuevo Laredo to Lampazos; the double wire from this capital to Chihuahua; from Mexico to Pachuca via Otumba; Puebla to San Martin Texmelucan; Cueneamé to Parras; and Front era to Jicalango, the latter being important, as it places the entire country in communication with the States of Campeehe and Yucatan. This communication is not entirely perfected, as the cables to be sunk in the Terminos Lake have not yet arrived, but the general manager has gone to England to purchase the cable, and on his return it will be laid.

Last May the new company assumed control of the works in the harbor of Vera Cruz and continued construction on the breakwater northeast of the Caleta Reef. Due attention is given in other parts to the preservation of docks and light-houses.

The location of the towns of Paso del Norte and. Matamoras on the hanks of the Rio Bravo exposes them to the destructive effects of washouts. The Government has commenced to lay out works of defense at Paso del Norte and has strengthened those already started at Matamoros.

It gives me pleasure to announce that the monument erected on the Paso de la Re-forma to the memory of Cuauhtemoc was finished during the month of August and was inaugurated with a solemn celebration organized by the city council of this capital. The monument to be raised in Dolores to the father of our independence and to the erection of which the governments of the States, the Federal district, and the Territories have contributed, is well advanced.

Important improvements have been made in the mints, and in that of San Luis Potosi new machinery has been set up” and is in operation. The amount coined during the fiscal year ending last June reached $26,844,031 in silver and $398,647 in gold, showing a slight decrease in the coinage of silver and a slight increase in that of gold, as compared with the operations last year.

The amount of $200,000 was coined in copper cents as decreed by Congress in its laws of May 10, of last year; yet, as that amount is insufficient, the department of public works will request you to grant permission to coin an additional quantity amounting to $300,000.

Mining industry throughout the country is being greatly developed, due to the uniformity of legislation and to the measures adopted by Congress at its last session. Since last April notice has been received of the registration of 800 new mining properties located, and of 15 reduction-works. Under the law passed on June 6 last various contracts have been made for the working of large mining properties.

In those portions of the country where means of exit provide for a ready exportation of products, and where interest is shown in the development of new plants, agricultural interests are improving. The grape industry is rapidly extending throughout the States of Aguas Calientes, Durango, Chihuahua, and Coahuila.

The cultivation of the ramie fiber has attracted the attention of many agriculturists, and marked preference is now being shown to the raising of mulberry trees and the development of silk-worms. The executive aids this movement with publications, with the distribution of plants and seeds, and with the instruction imparted by the inspectors assigned to that service.

The department of public works, be it justly said, has been aided by the efficient and disinterested cooperation of many persons who, as honorary agents, contribute data and information touching commerce, agriculture, and mining for the monthly publication conducted by that department, and which is read with interest alike in the republic and abroad.

In the colonies founded by the Government, the majority of the colonists have paid the value of the lands taken up by them and reimbursed to the Government the cost of their survey, etc. Touching the colonies started by private enterprise under contracts with the Government, I should state that they flourish, and especially so is that the case with the colonies founded at Ensenada de Todos Santos, Lower California, and in the mining town of Boleo, in the same Territory. To them was due, respectively, the opening of the ports of Todos Santos and Santa Rosalia, which are very active.

As regards the steamship companies which made contracts with the department of public works, the steamers of the Spanish Transatlantic Company effect their trips with regularity, and the ships of the Mexican International Company have commenced their trips on the Pacific coast.

Matters in the Treasury Department have continued in regular routine, and their success has been commensurate with the efforts of the Government and the hopes of the Republic.

It pleases me to inform Congress that during the fiscal year ending June 30 of this year, all the obligations contracted under the estimates of expenditures were met without any sacrifice; all the civil and military pay-rolls were covered, and the agreements made with various creditors, who received part of the principal and all of the interest, were fully complied with.

The balance sheet of the last fiscal year is very satisfactory. While we have not as yet realized our ideal of leveling our expenditures with our income, it can safely be stated that our ideal is almost reached, and will be accomplished in process of time and with the persevering efforts of the Government in the path it has selected.

As you will see, when the accounts, as specified by the Constitution are presented to you, the receipts have increased nearly $2,000,000 over the last fiscal year. During 1885–’86 they amounted to $26,770,000, and during the year just closed, $28,711,000; the increase being chiefly from the frontier and maritime custom-houses, and the revenue stamp tax. The receipts from the custom-houses alone exceeded those of the preceding year by over a million and a half dollars, and the increase in the stamp revenue was nearly $400,000.

These receipts have enabled the Government to meet the estimated expenditures, and to satisfy the claims of creditors without entailing any serious deficit, though the estimated expenditures amounted to $33,000,000, an excess over any previous estimates. This difference, alarming to those who do not understand the mechanism of our appropriations, is not really, nor can not be, dangerous, provided always that in the distribution of public moneys there shall be honesty and care displayed to prevent unnecessary expenditure. Some of the appropriation bills, probably the most important ones, do not fix an outlay as indispensable, but merely authorize the limit that may be reached. The executive has thus been enabled to avoid a large deficit by curtailing the expenditure of certain appropriations.

As I announced to Congress in my last report, the new custom-house ordinance went into effect on July 1 of this year. Public opinion has favored it, and the press, at home and abroad, has commented thereon in flattering terms, especially those publications which are devoted to financial matters. Since the enforcement of the new tariff smuggling has diminished, and new activity has vivified commerce, a result consonant with the wishes of the Government expressed in the establishment of liberal reforms in the tariff and in the simplification of several formulas.

We should congratulate ourselves on the favorable acceptance of the ordinance by the public, even though persons interested in the Mexican cotton industry are not satisfied with the lowering of the tariff on similar foreign productions. With a view to public good, and moved by a sense of strictest impartiality, the executive is engaged in the consideration of this complaint, and proposes to remedy the same as far as possible.

A postal convention having been entered into with the United States whereby the mails of both countries can carry packages, regulations have been formulated for the fixing of a tariff and collection of duties thereon, it being arranged that these operations, while not causing trouble to the public, may guarantee the Treasury’s interests.

In commemoration of the anniversary we celebrate, to-day the new custom-house at Laredo, which, as is known, is to serve as a station for the Mexican National Railroad, is to be inaugurated. A building has been purchased in Acapulco to accommodate the custom-house, the captaincy of the port, and other offices of the federation. The Executive intends to carry out the idea that the nation shall have buildings of its own for its offices, especially in the ports.

Construction on the Santiago Tlaltelolco custom-house, in this capital, has been concluded. Of the four railroads which to-day have a terminus in this capital, two have run their rails out to the new custom-house, and I expect, before the year ends, the other two companies will extend their lines thither, so that all freight brought on the railroads will be dispatched in the one place, in benefit of Commerce, the public, and the administration.

Upon the conclusion of our new legation building in Washington, the partial payment called for in the contract was made, and hereafter we shall have to meet only the small annual payments agreed upon.

The liquidation and conversion of the public debt continue uninterruptedly. The agreement made with the holders of bonds of the canceled English convention, which I mentioned to you in my last report, has commenced to take effect, and by virtue thereof the claims of a diplomatic character have been merged in the common fund of the debt, whose interest has sunk to 3 per cent. per annum, instead of 5 and 6 per cent. as fixed by international agreements.

More than $11,000,000 of our domestic debt have been, up to the present, liquidated and consolidated. A large part of these titles were purchased in excess of the ruling price by some London houses and were sent to that market, the parties interested thus succeeding in floating the bonds of our domestic debt on the London Exchange.

The interest on the public debt, due June 30 last, was promptly paid, the necessary funds being placed in London and in this capital, in advance, so that the creditors might collect the interest whenever they chose. Our solvency and the honest purpose of Mexico to meet her indebtedness are becoming better known every day, so that our credit at home and abroad is firmly sustained.

The department of war has continued assiduously and carefully its labors of organization. The commission charged with the proposed general organization of the army will in a few days finish its important labors.

The commissions intrusted with the revision and recasting of the general army ordinance have concluded the same. It is now in press and will soon be issued.

The new regulations for infantry tactics are now in full practice; and the cavalry tactics, as soon as published, will be put into effect.

The uniform regulations were published and circulated, and take effect immediately.

The regulations of the law of June 7 of this year, ordering a revision of the military pension rolls under bases already fixed have been printed, and the commission appointed to conduct that matter is busily engaged therein.

The tribes along the Yaqui and the Mayo Rivers have been completely pacified, and now the commission of military engineers sent to survey and define the several lands are quietly pursuing their avocations with the care required in a work so indispensable to the peace and well-being of those Indians.

In order to secure the public safety of the mountainous and quasi desert portions of the States of Sinaloa and Durango, some of the troops sent to the Yaqui and Mayo campaigns have been stationed there.

Important improvements are being made in the military college; among them the pupils engaged in the study of engineering, staff duty, artillery, infantry, and cavalry have had special advantages assigned them. Since my last report to Congress, forty-two officers have graduated from that institution into the army. The grade of sublieutenant has been abolished because the cadets of that rank pursued the higher studies and their duties as officers often interfered with the time they should devote to their classes.

The labor corps, created under the present appropriations, has been organized and will shortly commence its labors.

With a view to perfecting the production of metallic cartridges, as well as economizing in their cost, the necessary machinery was set up in the arms factory, and is now in good working order.

After constant experiments the steel carriages for the “Bange” mountain howitzers have been adopted, and these gun-carriages have been officially recognized as the “reform gun-carriage of 1887.”

New machines have been set up, and their probable production will be 4,000 projectiles per month, as well as the necessary cartridges.

Important improvements have also been effected in the powder factory, as well in the buildings as in the apparatus employed, to the end that the maximum production may be secured.

As far as the appropriations would allow, additions have been made to the navy department. Among other changes the floating dock, which was at Lerma and was useless there, was removed to Coatzacoalcos, where it will be shortly opened to public service.

I shall soon have the honor to propose to you the establishment of a training-ship for the practical instruction of our marine cadets as officers and sailors.

The gun-boat Mexico, having been retired from active service, has been transformed into a school for merchant-marine instruction, to enable the pupils of the Mazatlan Nautical School to acquire the practical education necessary for pilots.

Messrs. Deputies and Senators: The facts I have just laid before you evince that the executive, in compliance with a sacred duty, does not falter in the purpose to merit the confidence of the country, at the same time striving to procure the development of the country’s great elements by a perpetuation of peace and order on the unshaken foundation of progressive institutions, and carefully fostering all branches of public administration; also the establishment of its financial credit and the interests of its honor abroad. Fortunately there is nothing to distract us, nothing that can interrupt the nation’s passage on the path of progress, provided that in the future, as in the past, the good sense of the Mexican people and the patriotism of her representatives prevail.