INDIAN POPULATION AND POLICY OP MEXICO. 



The Indian population of the Republic of Mexico in 1884 was about 

 3,500,000 and steadily on the decrease. They are sometimes left to the 

 control of the States in which they reside, but generally are left to them- 

 selves, land being plenty and common : 



The indolence of the Indians, their attachment to their ancient customs, their bad 

 nourishment, their lack of shelter against the inclemency of the weather, their 

 wretched attendance in their sickness, and other adverse causes, * * * have con- 

 tributed to wards the degeneration and decline of the race. * * * — ("The Republic 

 of Mexico," A. G. Cubas, page 128.) 



The above work also contains a list of tribes in Mexico, together 

 with a synopsis of the Indian languages of Mexico, classified by D. 

 Francisco Pimentel. 



The lack of emigration, but little demand for land, and a bounteous 

 nature making food and clothing easily obtainable, are great aids in 

 Mexico in the control of the Indian. The Church in the past has been 

 largely interested in their management and improvement. 

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