Convention between the United States of America and the United States of Mexico–Extension of the duration of the joint commission for settlement of claims.

Signed April 19, 1871.
Ratified December 15, 1871.
Exchanged February 8, 1872.
Proclaimed February 8, 1872.

By the President of the United States of America.

a proclamation.

Whereas a convention between the United States of America and the United States of Mexico was concluded and signed by their respective plenipotentiaries, at the city of Mexico, on the nineteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, for extending the time limited by the convention between the two countries of the 4th of July, 1868, for the termination of the proceedings of the joint commission provided for by the latter instrument; which convention, being in the English and Spanish languages, is word for word as follows:

Whereas a convention was concluded on the 4th day of July, 1868, between the United States of America and the United States of Mexico, for the settlement of outstanding claims that have originated since the signing of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, on the 2d of February, 1848, by a mixed commission limited to endure for two years and six months from the day of the first meeting of the commissioners; and whereas doubts have arisen as to the practicability of the business of the said commission being concluded within the period assigned: Uonsiaeranao que fué concluiaa, en 4 de Julio de 1868, una convencion entre los EstadosU nidos Mexicanos y los Estados Unidos de América, para el arreglo de las reclamaciones pendientes que se habian originado despues de firmado el tratado de Guadalupe Hidalgo en 2 de Febrero de 1848, por medio de una comision mixta, cuya duracion fué limitada por el termino de dos años y seis meses, contados desde el dia de la primera reunion de los comisionados; y considerando que se ha puesto en duda la posibilidad de qu e sean concluidos dentro del término señalado los negocios pendientes ante dicha comision:
The President of the United States of America and the President of the United States of Mexico [Page 146] are desirous that the time originally fixed for the duration of the said commission should be extended, and to this end have named plenipotentiaries to agree upon the best mode of effecting this object, that is to say: The President of the United States of America, Thomas H. Nelson, accredited as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Mexican Republic; and the President of the United States of Mexico, Manuel Azpiroz, Chief Clerk and in charge of the Ministry of Foreign Relations of the United States of Mexico; who, after having presented their respective powers, and finding them sufficient and in due form, have agreed upon the following articles: El Presidente de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos y el Presidente de log Estados Unidos de América desean que el tiempo primitivamente fijado para la duracion de dicha comision sea prorogado, y para alcanzar este fin de mejor modo por medio de una convencion han nombrado plenipotenciarios, á saber El Presidente de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos á Manuel Azpiroz, Oficial Mayor encargado del Ministerio de relaciones Exteriores de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos; y el Presidente de los Estados Unidos de América á Thomas H. Nelson, acreditado como Enviado Extraordinario v Ministro Plenipotenciario de los Estados Unidos de América en Mexico; quienes, despues de haberse mostrado sus respectivos poder es y de haberlos hallado bastantes y en debida forma, han convenido en los artículos siguientes:
Article I. Artículo I.
The high contracting parties agree that the term assigned in the convention of the 4th of July, 1868, above referred to, for the duration of the said commission, shall be extended for a time not exceeding one year from the day when the. functions of the said commission would terminate according to the convention referred to, or for a shorter time if it should be deemed sufficient by the commissioners, or the umpire, in case of their disagreement. Las altas partes contratentes convienen en que el término señalado en la convencion de 4 de Julio de 1868, arribacitada, para la duracion de dicha comision, sea prorogado por un tiempo que no exceda de un año, contado desde el dia en que, segun la convencion citada, deberian terminar las f unciones de la misma comision, ó por un tiempo menor que sea bastante á juicio de los comisionados, ó del árbitro en caso de discordia entre ellos.
It is agreed that nothing contained in this article shall in any wise alter or extend the time originally fixed in the said convention for the presentation of claims to the mixed commission. Queda convenido, que por este artículo no se alteran ó prorogan de ningun modo los terminos prefijados en la citada convencion para la presentacion de reclamaciones ante la comision mixta.
Article II. Artículo II.
The present convention shall be ratified, and the ratifications shall be exchanged at Washington, as soon as possible. La presente convencion será ratificada, y las ratificaciones serán cangeadas en Washington, á la mayor brevedad.
In witness whereof the above-Euentioned plenipotentiaries have [Page 147] signed the same and affixed their respective seals. En fé de lo cual los plenipotenciarios arriba norabrados firman la presente convencion, poniendo en ella sus sellos respectívos.
Done in the city of Mexico the 19th day of April, in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one. Hecha en México el dia diez y nueve de Abril del ano mil ochocientos setenta y uno.
[seal.] Thomas H. Nelson. [seal.] Manuel Azpiroz.
[seal.] Manuel Azpiroz. [seal.] Thomas H. Nelson.

And whereas the said convention has been duly ratified in both parts, and the respective ratifications of the same have been exchanged:

Now, therefore, be it known that I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States of America, have caused the said convention to be made public, to the end that the same, and every clause and article thereof, may be observed and fulfilled with good faith by the United States and the citizens thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.


U. S. Grant.

By the President:

Hamilton Fish,
Secretary of State.