40- 



MEXICO. 



i duly exchanged, the commissioner and the 



gent of Mexico in the Mixed Claim* Commission 

 are now in Washington discharging their important 

 dmica. 



The commission of investigation appointed for the 

 frontier of the Rio Bravo bus not been able to termi- 

 nate ita labor*, in spite of its assiduous efforts. Con- 

 sequently, its period of duration has been extended, 

 in accordance with the congressional decree, an* I by 

 virtue of the same, a commission of investigation 

 has been appointed for the frontiers of Chihuahua 

 and Sonors. 



The elements which have grown up during the 

 protracted anomalous condition of Tepio afford 

 sufficient reasons for still maintaining there a mili- 

 tary government ; but as this ought not to be in- 

 definitely prolonged, it may now be a proper time 

 for the representatives of the nation to examine and 

 decide the principal question concerning the separa- 

 tion which that district has solicited, or its rein- 

 corporation with the State of Jalisco. An end would 

 thus be put to the agitation maintained for so many 

 years in that district, and Congress having made 

 the decision which its wisdom mav dictate, the con- 

 dition of Tepic would be definitely fixed, to the 

 great benefit of the general peace of the republic. 



The proper coin mission has just concluded the 

 draft of a code of criminal procedure, whicli will bo 

 promptly examined, in order that, by virtue of the 

 authorization of Congress, it may soon receive the 

 character of law, to the profit of a very important 

 branch of the administration of justice. 



The Executive believes it his duty to recommend 

 to the enlightened consideration of Congress the 

 pending project concerning the basis of a reform 

 of the system of public instruction, since, if this 

 could be acted upon during the present period of 

 sessions, this important improvement might be 

 established in time for the coming scholastic .war. 



It is unnecessary to recommend the pending 

 railroad projects; their utility is so great and BO 

 well recognized, as also the anxiety of Mexican so- 

 ciety for the realization of these enterprises, destined 

 to produce the most abundant fruits of prosperity. 

 The projected railroads will quickly foment our uirri- 

 culture in the interior, and there will bo obtained, 

 at a later day, the great advantage of placing the 

 republic in 'immediate relations with the United 

 States and with Europe, giving also to Mexico the 

 means of communication with Asia. 



Amonz the pending bills those relating to a dimi- 

 nution of the cost of freight upon the railroad from 

 Mexico to Vera Cruz, and to the prompt completion 

 of the Jalapa Railroad, deserve special attention. 

 Both these improvements will impart new life t rii-h 

 and fertile regions, and will develop upon a grand 

 cale the exportation of our tropical productions. 



The Executive having been authorized to amend 

 the tariff, intrusted its study to a commission, 

 whose intelligent members have worthily executed 

 task. The examination of several points on 

 which advice was tendered by various custom-houses 

 has delayed the publication of the new tariff, since 

 the Executive desires do proceed with the greatest 

 prudence to the advantage both of commerce and 

 of the Treasury. 



The collection of the revenue and the payment of 

 the public expenditure have been effected with the 

 greatest regularity. Notwithstanding the outlav oc- 

 casioned by the campaign of Tepic. the civil and mil- 

 itary lists have been punctually paid, as well as the 

 ordinary expenses of the administration. 



Of the loan contracted in August of last year 

 even-eighth* of the principal have hern paid, as well 

 na the interest which has become due. That loan 



t'r 1 our society from a now contri'mtion. which 



would otherwise Wve been indispensable on n 

 of the scarcity of resources rttnltlnc from the civil 

 war. not then" fully ended. The good-will displayed 

 on that occasion by the subscribers to the loan was 

 worthy of esteem, and it was but just to attend with 



the greatest promptitude to the payment of principal 

 and interest, as was demanded by good faith and the 

 credit of the public administration. 



Heing fully persuaded of the immense advantages 

 produced by telegraphic communication, care has 

 been taken not 01 -ting lines, 



but to continue those commenced, and t<> e n-trm-t 

 other new ones. That of Tabasco, soon to extend 

 to Yucatan, is nearly finished, as will shortly be 

 those from Aoapulco to Chilpaneingo, and from San 

 Luis to Tampion. A sum of mon . sent 



abroad sufficient to purchase the wire and apparatus 

 for six hundred leagues more of telegraph. With 

 these the extent of tlie lines belonging t<> the !..-,- 

 eminent will soon reach 7,500 kilometres, thus prov- 

 ing the lively desire of the Government to establish 

 in all the States of the republic this means of com- 

 munication, so fruitful in Benefits for society. 



Through the just interest of facilitatiiiL' in every 

 way our communication, especially with the distant 

 States which have hitherto not enjoyed them, it was 

 provided that the Post-Office Department furnish a 

 proper subsidy for the establishment of a line of dil- 

 igences between the cities of Durango and Chihua- 

 hua. The contracting company has offered that be- 

 fore the end of the present month that line will be 

 inaugurated, by which there will be established, for 

 the first time, a regular service of coaches bet 

 those two cities. 



The Executive being convinced that the lack of 

 vigilance along our extensive coasts on both seas oc- 

 casions great losses to the Treasury and to honest com- 

 merce, has determined to purchase four c"a.t-guard 

 vessels, two for the Gulf of Mexico and two for the 

 Pacific. Smuggling will thus be prevented in great 

 part, and also the danger of new commotions in 

 some of our ports. The Executive has already pro- 

 vided a part of the sum necessary for the purchase of 

 the said four vessels, but the amount fixed in the act 

 of appropriation beinir insufficient, a proposal for 

 that purpose will be immediately submitted to Con- 

 gress, prompt action upon which is commended to 

 your attention. 



Provision has been made for the payment of the 

 sums due to the lessees of the mints of (lmin:yuuto, 

 Zacateoas, and Sun Luis, according to the terms of 

 their respective contracts. Had these payments n.,t 

 been effected before tin' end of the rear, triple inter- 

 est would then have become due. It is. besides, ad- 

 vantageous that these mints should remain under the 

 immediate charge of the Government. 



A million dollars has been appropriated for the 

 above obj'.'ot, and tor the payment <>f the loan, the 

 purchase of telegraph-material, and an advan< 

 the purchase of coast-guard vessels ; and that with- 

 out any failure to defray the ordinary expenses of the 

 administration. 



These fact* will prove to yon, citizen deputies, 

 the zeal of the Executive in striving after all possble 

 improvements. Although there arc grave difficulties 

 to surmount, the administration endeavors to proceed 

 with regularity ; and if, as we should hope from the 

 patriotism and good sense of the Me\i. vm-, peace 

 continues to shed its inestimable I.' n our 



society, we may indulge in the well founded hone 

 that the republic, after so many sacrifices, will ob- 

 tain the most complete prosperity. 



In October tin- Jesuits wore ordered to leave 

 .iiuitry by the earliest opportunity, the 

 choice being given them of American, Eng- 

 lish, or Kri'iirh purl 



Amonir the important nets of tlio second 

 session of' ('oiitrn >s :in> the following: 



The reparation of Church and State; Con- 

 cannot make laws establishing or pro- 

 hibiting any religion. 



Matrimony ia to be henceforth a civil con- 

 tract. 



