APPENDIX. 
265 
cannot be done, to accomplish what is practicable when it is of impor- 
tance to the Republic and to the world in general ; and seeking, by pro- 
moting the execution of what is at present attainable, to give an impulse 
to future attempts on a larger scale (for the opening of a line of commu- 
nication, by tending to show that it is not difficult to cut across the con- 
tinent, may hereafter conduce to the undertaking of this great work) : 
Feeling, besides, that in order to encourage the spirit of speculation, it is 
necessary to make concessions and confer privileges, by which alone en - 
terprise has ever been fostered, and that by this enterprise in particular 
the nation will obtain revenues with which it cannot reckon at present, 
paid by the commercial interests of other nations, and immediately reap 
the advantages which must result from universal intercourse, when its 
soil shall become the emporium of commerce, and, consequently, teem 
with wealth and abundance, when its various products shall become ar- 
ticles of exportation : Therefore, by virtue of the powers and faculties 
vested in me by the seventh article of the Convention signed at Tacubaya, 
and sworn to by the Representatives of the Departments, I have deter- 
mined to issue the following : 
(decree.) 
Article 1. — A line of communication shall be opened between the 
Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, through the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. 
Art. 2. — This shall be performed by water, except where it is imprac- 
ticable, when railroads and steam-carriages shall be used. 
Art. 3. — The passage across the Isthmus having been opened, it is 
hereby declared neutral and common to all nations at peace with the 
Mexican Republic. 
Art. 4. — The execution of this work shall be confided to Don Jose de 
Garay, to whom is hereby granted an exclusive privilege to this effect. 
His obligations and indemnifications shall be as follow : 
First. — Don Jose de Garay shall cause to be made, at his own ex- 
pense, a survey of the ground and direction which the route should follow, 
and also of the ports which may be deemed most commodious. All which 
shall be concluded at furthest within the space of eighteen months from 
the date hereof, and the works shall be commenced within the space of 
ten months next hereafter ; and, in case this should not be performed 
within the time specified, the exclusive privilege hereby conceded to him 
shall cease. 
Second. — The said Don Jose de Garay shall cause to be made in the 
ports which he shall select all kinds of works that may be necessary for 
