No. 466.
Mr. Blaine
to Mr. Morgan.
Department
of State,
Washington, August 5,
1881.
No. 158.]
Sir: Adverting to my instruction of the 27th
ultimo, concerning the expected movement of the Mexican Government toward
the extension of the limits of the “zona libre” so as to include the town of
El Paso, Mexico, I have now to forward herewith, for your information, and
as throwing additional light upon this important subject, a copy of a letter
from his excellency the governor of Texas, of the 26th ultimo, and of one
inclosed therewith from Captain Caldwell, of the Texas frontier police
force, in relation to the matter.
[Page 783]
The petition referred to in the letter of Governor Roberts is omitted for the
reason that it is identical with the one which accompanied my instruction
mentioned.
I am, sir, &c.,
[Inclosure in No. 158.]
Governor Roberts to
Mr. Blaine.
Executive Office, State of Texas,
Austin, July 26, 1881. (Received August
1.)
Sir: I have the honor to present to you a
petition of the citizens of El Paso, Texas, and a letter from Capt. Neal
Caldwell of our frontier police force, giving assurance of the
respectability of the petitioners, with reasons for their action in the
premises.
You will see from the petition and letter that the aid of our government
is sought to prevent the establishment of the zona
libre, or free belt, along the western side of the Rio Grande
opposite El Paso, in Texas. Several railroads are conveying to El Paso,
and it bids fair to become a great central distributing city of the
interior of the continent.
The anticipated action of making a free district or belt of 30 or 40
miles, within which goods and merchandise are admitted and disposed of
free of duties, will be a death-blow to the commercial prosperity of El
Paso and other Texas towns on the upper Rio Grande, and will also be an
Injury to the revenue of the United States. The goods brought from any
other country outside of the United States will be stored and sold in
the free belt, in preference to being stored and sold in Texas
towns.
I am not fully aware of what policy it is that prompts this proceeding on
the part of Mexico, and having no means or right of negotiating on the
subject, I beg leave to refer the matter to you, trusting that through
the general government our interests in that regard will be protected as
far as practicable.
Respectfully, &c.,
[Appendix to inclosure in No.
158.]
Captain Caldwell to
Governor Roberts.
Adjutant-General’s Office,
Austin, Texas, July 22,
1881.
Sir: The petition of certain citizens of El
Paso County, Texas, protesting against the extension of the “zona libre”
to include the town of El Paso, Mexico, has had my attention.
For your information I would respectfully state that I am personally
acquainted with several of the signers of the petition and know them to
be respectable citizens of the town of El Paso, Texas.
I am also personally acquainted with the operation and effect of the
“zona libre” on the commerce of citizens on the American side of the Rio
Grande River, and I am of the opinion that the extension of it to
include the town of El Paso, Mexico, would be most disastrous to trade
on the American side of the river, for the reason that if the “zona
libre” should be extended as apprehended, the merchants of El Paso
Mexico, could order goods from any foreign country, have them shipped
through the United States under bond, and have
them delivered within the “zona libre” without having paid any duty,
except the export duty to the country from which the goods were shipped,
thereby being enabled to undersell the merchants on the American side of
the river (who are compelled to pay revenue duties to our government),
which would ruin the trade of the town of El Paso, Texas, which, with
its great railroad facilities soon to be established, should be an
important commercial point within our State.
I have, &c.,
NEAL CALDWELL,
Captain and
Quartermaster, Frontier Battalion.
