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known, or that from a preconceived idea existing in favour of making a cut to join 
the two oceans, the advantages of a road or canal destined for the transhipment 
of goods has been entirely lost sight of, by which the same results might be 
approximately obtained :—And furthermore desiring, if more cannot be done, 
to accomplish what is practicable, but still of the greatest importance to the 
Republic and to the world in general; and seeking, by promoting the execution 
of what is at present attainable, to give an impulse to future attempts on a larger 
scale, since the opening of a line of ^communication, by tending to show that 
it is not difficult to cut across the continent, may hereafter conduce to the un¬ 
dertaking of this great work :—Feeling, besides, that in order to encourage the 
spirit of speculation, it is necessary to make concessions, by which alone ente- 
prise has ever been fostered; and that by this enterprise in particular the nation 
will obtain revenues with which it cannot reckon at present, derivable from 
foreign trade, 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 si all 
become articles of exportation :—Therefore, by virtue of the powers and facul¬ 
ties vested in me by the 7th article of the convention signed at Tacubaya 
and sworn to by the Representatives of the Departments, I have determined 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. 
Article 2. This shall be performed by water, but when this may not be 
convenient, then railroads and steam carriages may be used. 
Article 3. The passage to be opened across the Isthmus, shall be neutral, and 
common to all nations at peace with the Mexican Republic. 
Article 4. The execution of this work shall be confided to Don Jos6 Garay; 
to whonJ is hereby granted an exclusive privilege to this effect. His obliga¬ 
tions and indemnifications shall be as hereafter expressed:— 
First. Don JostS Garay shall cause to be made at his own expense a survey 
of the ground and direction which the route should follow ; and also of the ports 
which may be deemed most proper and commodious from their proximity; all 
which shall be concluded at furthest within the space of eighteen months from 
the date hereof: and the works shall be commenced at furthest within the space 
of ten months next thereafterand in case this shall not be performed within 
the time specified, the exclusive privilege hereby conceded to him shall cease. 
Second. The said Don Jose Garay shall cause to be made in the ports which 
he shall select, all kinds of works that may be necessary for shelter and utility. 
He shall construct in each of them fortresses and warehouses ; he shall carry 
into effect the line'of communication between the two ports by means of water- 
carriage or railroads, in both cases by means of steam ; and he shall establish as 
many steam-boats and trains of steam-cars as shall be deemed necessary, so that 
there shall be no delay for want of means of transport. 
Third. The grantee shall pay at a just valuation for any private property 
