As this draft is taken word for word from the convention signed and
approved by the two Governments on the 6th November, 1896, extending the
time of the convention of 1889 one year, I find it acceptable; and, in
conformity with the suggestion which you were pleased to make, I inclose
you the Spanish text of the convention (proposed), taken likewise, with
some immaterial changes of form, from the convention of November 6,
1896.
As I have received full powers to sign this convention from the Mexican
Government, I shall be obliged to you if you will be so good as to
inform me when you are ready to sign it.
Convention extending for a period of one year
from December 24, 1897, the duration of the convention of March
1, 1889.
[Concluded October 29, 1897; ratification
advised by the Senate December 16, 1897; ratified by the
President December 20, 1897; ratified by the President of
Mexico, November 2, 1897; ratifications exchanged December 21,
1897; proclaimed December 21, 1897.]
Whereas the United States of America and the United States of Mexico
desire to give full effect to the provisions of the convention
concluded and signed in Washington March 1, 1889, to facilitate the
execution of the provisions contained in the treaty signed by the
two high contracting parties on the 12th of November, 1884, and to
avoid the difficulties arising from the changes which are taking
place in the beds of the Bravo del Norte and Colorado rivers in
those parts which serve as a boundary between the two Republics;
And whereas the period fixed by Article IX of the convention of March
1, 1889, extended by the conventions of October 1, 1895, and
November 6, 1896, expires on the 24th of December, 1897;
And whereas the two high contracting parties deem it expedient to
extend the period fixed by Article IX of the convention of March 1,
1889, and by the sole article of the convention of October 1, 1895,
and that of November 6, 1896, in order that the International
Boundary Commission may be able to conclude the examination and
decision of the cases which have been submitted to it, they have,
for that purpose, appointed their respective plenipotentiaries, to
wit:
- The President of the United States of America, John
Sherman, Secretary of State of the United States of America;
and
- The President of the United States of Mexico, Matias
Romero, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of
the United States of Mexico in Washington;
Who, after having communicated to each other their respective full
powers, found in good and due form, have agreed upon and concluded
the following article:
Article.
The duration of the convention of March 1, 1889, by the United States
of America and the United States of Mexico, which according to the
provisions of Article IX thereof, was to remain in force for five
years, counting from the date of the exchange of its ratifications,
which period was extended by the convention of October 1, 1895, to
December 24, 1896, and by the convention of November 6, 1896, to
December 24, 1897,
[Page 405]
is
extended by the present convention for the period of one year
counting from this last date.
This convention shall be ratified by the two high contracting parties
in conformity with their respective constitutions, and the
ratifications shall be exchanged in Washington as soon as
possible.
In testimony whereof, we, the undersigned, by virtue of our
respective powers, have signed this convention in duplicate, in the
English and Spanish languages, and have affixed our respective
seals.
Done in the city of
Washington, on the 29th day of
October, of the year one thousand eight hundred and
ninety-seven.
John Sherman
, [
Seal.]
M.
Romero
. [
seal.]
