No. 757.
Mr. Connery to Mr. Bayard.

No. 288.]

Sir: I have the honor to mail herewith two copies each of the Diario Oficial from the 8th to the 16th instant inclusive, containing a report of the department of public works relative to the action of the Mexican Government in the matter of the colonization of Lower California by American companies; a report called out by the bitter and repeated statements of the opposition press, to the effect that the nation was in danger, through those colonizing concessions, of losing Lower California, which would, like Texas, finally declare for annexation to the United States. I find it impossible, in connection with the other necessary work in the legation, to send you a translation of the voluminous matter. I have red-pencilled the articles in question.

After citing extracts from the opposition papers, the report proceeds to show that the contracts for colonization allowed to Hale, Haller, Bulle, and others are supported throughout by the federal constitution, the articles of which are quoted in their defense; that the companies have placed more colonists than the Government unaided by them could have done; that the large majority of the settlers are and will be Mexicans: that under the system of grants of public lands to companies who survey large tracts for the Government the latter is enabled to have its surveying done at a minimum cost; that a pacific invasion by Americans who survey and settle public lands is not expected nor feared, and is impossible for many reasons; that as legitimate immigration brings only foreigners who come in search of business and a livelihood, the restriction or the discouragement of such immigration would injure national industries; that colonization companies do not [Page 1099] prefer the foreign to the native element in their make-up, and the laws of Mexico, as well as the provisions of the several concessions, insist upon a large preponderance of Mexicans in the colonies throughout the Republic. Under a financial aspect, the report discusses the advantages accruing to the nation from these colonization projects. At great length it treats of and disproves the theory that the gradual settlement, even by foreigners, of Lower California and of other places, would result eventually, as in the case of the annexation of Texas, in the loss of large national territory, especially as conditions differ between Texas, at that time the prey of adventurers, and Lower California, at present peaceful and prosperous. The report closes with a detailed statement of the colonies on public lands in Sonora, Chihuahua, Chiapas, and Lower California, their numbers, location, amount and value of landed property, and their condition and prospects, which are presented most pleasingly.

Trusting the papers may be of profit and of interest to you,

I am, etc.,

Thomas B. Connery.