Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Third Session of the Fortieth Congress

Mr. Plumb to Mr. Seward.

No. 83.]

Legation of the United States, City of Mexico, February 29, 1868.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit to the department herewith, translation of a decree published by this government, opening to foreign commerce and the coasting trade a new port called Puerto Angel, on the Pacific coast, in the State of Oaxaca.

This port, it is stated, is favorably situated for the commerce of that State, which is now taking the direction of the Pacific, instead of passing by way of Vera Cruz, as heretofore.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. L. PLUMB.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

[Translation.]

Department of Treasury and Public Credit.–Section 1.

The supreme magistrate of the republic has thought proper to address to me the following decree:

The citizen Benito Juarez, constitutional President of the United Mexican States, to the inhabitants of the same, maketh known:

That in use of the faculty conceded to me by fraction 14 of article 85 of the constitution, I have thought proper to decree the following sole article:

The port called Puerto Angel, situate in the Pacific, on the coast of the State of Oaxaca, is opened to foreign and coasting trade.

Wherefore, I order that this be printed, published, circulated, and due compliance given to it.

Dated in the palace of the federal government in Mexico, the 30th of January, 1868.

BENITO JUAREZ.

The Citizen Matias Romero, Minister of Treasury and Public Credit.

And I communicate the same to you for the corresponding effects.

Independence and liberty. Mexico, January 30, 1868.

ROMERO.