No. 452.
Mr. Fish
to Mr. Foster.
Washington , October 22, 1873.
Sir: Your dispatch No. 52, of the 30th ultimo, has been received. The Mexican government deserves congratulation upon the adoption of the amendments of its constitution, to which the dispatch relates. It may be regarded as a great step in advance, especially for a republic in name. We have had ample experience of the advantage of similar-measures, an experience, too, which has fully shown that, while they have materially contributed to enlarge and secure general freedom and prosperity, they have by no means tended to weaken the just interests of religion, or the due influence of: clergymen in the body politic.
I am, &c.,