Office of the Historian

File No. 812.512/796.

Special Agent Silliman to the Secretary of State.

Vera Cruz, September 1, 1915.

Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith copy of El Pueblo of this date in which is published the decree of yesterday modifying the mining law of March 1, 1915.

I have [etc.]

John R. Silliman.
[Page 942]
[Inclosure—Translation.]

Decree issued by Carranza, August 31, 1915, modifying the mining law of March 1, 1915.

I, Venustiano Carranza, First Chief [etc.], considering that the mining business in general has unavoidably been interrupted by the social disturbances of the country, especially in territory subject to the excesses of the troops opposed to the Constitutionalist Government, and for lack of materials of prime necessity that could not be obtained on account of the war, have thought it proper to decree as follows:

  • Article 1. During the terms hereinafter mentioned, the tariffs set forth in Article 10 of the Law of March 25, 1905, amended by Article 1 of the Decree of March 1, 1915, relating to the taxation of mining properties, are hereby amended as follows:
    A.
    During the tercio between last July and next November, the tax shall be at the rate of Six Pesos ($6) annually for each pertenencia, whatever may be the number of pertenencias.
    B.
    During the tercio between next November and February, 1916, the tax shall be at the rate of Eight Pesos ($8) annually for each pertenencia, whatever may be the number of pertenencias.
    C.
    From March 1, 1916, the tax shall be the same as established by the Decree of March 1, 1915.
  • Article 2. Mining pertenencias on which taxes are due for a period previous to last July shall bear a tax at the rate of Six Pesos ($6) annually on each of the first twenty-five pertenencias, and of Three Pesos ($3) on pertenencias in excess of twenty-five.
  • Article 3. To all proprietors of mines who have paid the tax for the tercio beginning last July, there shall be returned a sum equal to the difference between the payment made and the amount due under this decree.
  • Article 4. The payments fixed by this decree may be made on or before September 30, 1915, without incurring any penalty for delinquency.
  • Article 5. The payments fixed by this decree shall be made in national gold coin or in its equivalent in silver coin in accordance with the Decree of May 8, 1915.

Done in Vera Cruz, August 31, 1915.

V. Carranza.