Mr. Blaine to Mr. Ryan.
Washington, November 19, 1890.
Sir: I have received your No. 471 of the 1st instant, in which you state that, on bringing the concurrent resolution of Congress of 1st ultimo—contemplating treaty arrangements for the prevention of the entry of Chinese laborers into this country from Mexico—to the attention of His Excellency Mr. Mariscal, he promised to give the subject consideration.
You remark that at the same time Mr. Mariscal called your attention to article xi of the constitution of Mexico, which reads:
Art. XI. Every man has a right to enter and to go out of the Republic, to travel through its territory, and change his residence without the necessity of any safeguard, passport, letter of safe-conduct, or other like requisite.
The article seems to guaranty exemption on the part of residents and travelers from taking passports, safe-conducts, or other like requisite, but does not appear to dispense with matriculation or to affect the sovereign attributes in dealing with questions of public security.
Without suggesting any interpretation, the view which Mexico may take of the proposition is awaited with interest.
I am, etc.,