Mr. Ryan to Mr. Blaine.
Mexico, November 26, 1890. (Received December 18.)
Sir: Referring to my No. 471 of the 1st instant, relative to the concurrent resolution of the United States Congress concerning the negotiation of treaties for the prevention of the entry of Chinese laborers from Canada and Mexico into the United States, I have the honor to advise the Department that at a conference on the subject with Mr. Mariscal on yesterday he informed me that, with a disposition on the part of the Mexican Government to act favorably to the wishes of the United States in the matter, after careful consideration he had been unable to reach the conclusion that his Government could make any engagement to prevent Chinese laborers, or any other persons, from going out of Mexico in any direction they may desire which would not contravene article xi of the Mexican constitution, which declares that—
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.
Mr. Mariscal further stated that he would be pleased to give the most friendly consideration to any plan that may be formulated and submitted which will secure the object proposed without infringing upon the provision of the constitution referred to.
I am, etc.,