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APPENDIX. 
" in the name of the Supreme Government, and under the most solemn 
protests, he declares and promises that all and every one of the conces- 
sions mentioned in the preinserted decree shall be honorably fulfilled, 
now and at all times, pledging the honor and public faith of the nation 
to maintain the projector, Don Jose de Garay, as ivell as any private in- 
dividual or company succeeding or representing him, either natives or 
foreigners, in the undisturbed enjoyment of all the concessions 
granted." 
By the terms of the decree of this date, the Government of Mexico 
gave numerous important privileges, and a large grant of land, comprising 
all that was vacant for ten leagues on each side of the line of communica- 
tion, to Jose Garay, for the purpose of enabling him to establish a con- 
nection by steam between the two seas, across the Isthmus of Tehuante- 
pec, either by railroad or water. 
On the 9th February, 1843, the Government of Mexico issued orders 
to the Governors of the Departments of Oaxaca and Vera Cruz (within 
whose limits the Isthmus is comprised), directing that Garay should be 
put in possession of the vacant land conceded to him by the first decree, 
and that every facility should be granted for the prosecution of the enter- 
prise. These orders were issued by Nicholas Bravo, then President of the 
Republic ; and on the same day another decree was issued by the same 
President, declaring that in the grant of vacant lands were comprehended 
all lands which had been previously granted by the Government to na- 
tives or foreigners, and which remained uninhabited and uncultivated. 
These decrees were executed by the local authorities, and Garay was 
put in actual possession of the lands. 
On the 6th October, 1843, Santa Anna, who was again President, is- 
sued a decree, stating that the surveys by Garay had been concluded, and 
the works about to be begun ; and ordering the Governors of Oaxaca and 
Vera Cruz to furnish convicts, to the number of three hundred, to be em- 
ployed on the work. 
On the 28th December, 1843, by another decree of Santa Anna, the 
period for commencing the works on the Isthmus, which, under the origi- 
nal grant, was to expire on the 1st July, 1844, was extended to the 1st 
July, 1845. 
In the fall or winter of 1844, Santa Anna was no longer in power ; the 
country was exposed to constant internal convulsions, resulting from the 
struggles for power of different leaders, who rapidly succeeded each other 
in the Presidency; and in the beginning of 1845 the difficulties with the 
United States had already assumed a menacing character. Garay be- 
