Foreign Relations of the United States, 1902, United States vs. Mexico, In the matter of the case of the Pious Fund of the Californias, Appendix II

Laws of Mexico relating to the Pious Fund.

[May 1832–April 3, 1845]

For the convenience of the court the Mexican laws and decrees materially affecting the Pious Fund case have been collected and chronologically arranged in the following pages.

May 1832.

[Leg. Mex. 1827–1834, p. 435.]

Ley. Que el gobierno proceda al arrendamiento de las fincas rústicas pertenecientes al fondo piadoso de Californias.	Law. That the Government proceed with the lease of the rural property belonging to the Pious Fund of the Californias.
Art. 1. El gobierno procederá al arrendamiento de las fincas rústicas pertenecientes al fondo piadoso de Californias por término que no pase de siete años.	Art. 1. The Government shall proceed to rent the rural property belonging to the Pious Fund of the Californias for a term which shall not exceed seven years.
2. Estos arrendamientos se contratarán precisamente en pública subasta, en las capitales de los Estados ó Territorios, ó en la ciudad Federal, segun la ubicacion de las fincas.	2. These leases shall be contracted at public auction in the capitals of the States or Territories or in the Federal city, according to the location of the property.
3. Estos arrendamientos se sacarán al pregon dentro de tres meses de la fecha de este decreto, por treinta dias, y á lo mémos con el mismo termino se anunciarán por rotulones en la ciudad Federal, en las capitales de los Estados y Territorios, en las cabeceras de los Partdos, Departamentos ó Cantones en que se hallen ubicadas las fincas, y en los demas lugares que tuviere á bien el gobierno; y estos anuncios se inserterán á lo ménos en un periódico de la ciudad Federal.	3. These leases shall be announced by the public crier within three months of the date of this decree for thirty days, and at least for the same period shall be announced by printed notices in the Federal city, in the capitals of the States and Territories, and in the principal places of the districts, departments, or region in which the properties may be situate, and in such other places as the Government may deem expedient, and these announcements shall be inserted in at least one newspaper of the Federal city.
4. Se sacarán tambien al pregon dentro de tres meses de concluido cualquier arrendamiento ó cada seis meses sie no hubiere arrendatario.	4. The conclusion of any lease shall, within three months, be announced by the public crier, or, if there be no lessee, the announcement shall be made every six months.
5. La aprobaeion del remate de arrendamiento se hará prévia la del gobiernia, á cuyo efecto se le remitirá el expedients dentro de quince dias de verificado aquel.	5. The making of the lease shall be subject to the approval of the Government, to which the papers in the case shall be submitted for this purpose within fifteen days after the making thereof.
6. Los productos de estos bienes se depositarán en la casa de moneda de la ciudad Federal, para destinarlos única y precisamente á las misiones de Californias.	6. The proceeds of such properties shall be deposited in the treasury of the Federal city, to be solely and exclusively destined for the missions of the Californias.
7. Lo directivo y económico de estos bienes, así por lo tocante á su administracion, como para conservar é invertir sus productos, estará á cargo de una junta dependiente del gobierno por la Secretaría del despacho de Relaciones.	7. The direction and management of these properties, not only with respect to their administration but with respect to the collection and employment of their proceeds, shall be under the charge of a board accountable to the Government through the office of the secretary of foreign affairs.
8. Esta junta se compondrá de tres individuos, uno de ellos eclesiástico, nombrados por el gobierno, que se renovarán saliendo uno cada año, comenzando por el último, y podrán ser continuados.	8. This board shall be composed of three persons, appointed by the Government, one of them to be an ecclesiastic. Commencing with the member last appointed, one of the board shall be retired and a person appointed in his place each year; the members are eligible for reappointment.
9. Esta junta tendrá un secretario, con la dotacion de six hundred pesos anuales, pagaderos de los fondos de que se trata.	9. This board shall have a secretary, with a compensation of six hundred dollars per annum, payable from the funds in question.
10. Las atribuciones de la junta serán:	10. The powers of the board shall be as follows:
Primera. Cuidar de que se arnenden con oportunidad las fincas rústicas y urbanas, pertenecientes al fondo piadoso de que se trata.	First. To see that the rural and city properties belonging to the Pious Fund in question be suitably leased.
Segunda. Proponer al gobierno las condiciones con que hayan de hacerse los arrendamientos, y la cantidad á que por lo ménos deberá ascender la renta de cada finca.	Second. To submit to the Government the conditions under which the leases should be made and the minimum sum to which the rent of each estate should amount.
Tercera. Examinar los expedientes de los remates, y consultar al gobierno si es de aprobarse el arrendamiento, á si las propuestas hechas por algun otro licitante son mas ventajosas.	Third. To examine the papers relative to the making of the leases, and to advise the Government if the leases should be approved or if the propositions made by some other applicant are more advantageous.
Cuarta. Proponer al gobierno el número de individuos que juzgue absolutamente necesarios para la administracion de las fincas rústicas, cuando no puedan arrendarse por falta de postores.	Fourth. To submit to the Government the number of persons that it deems absolutely necessary for the administration of the rural properties, when the said properties can not be leased for want of bidders.
Quinta. Proponer el sueldo de los administradores, y la cantidad con que cada uno haya de caucionar su manejo.	Fifth. To submit the amount of compensation of the administrators and of the bond with which each must guarantee his management.
Sexta. Cuidar de que los arrendatarios á administradores presenten la informacion de idoneidad de sus respectivos fiadores, y la certificacion de supervivencia.	Sixth. To see to it that the lessees or administrators submit information as to the qualifications of their respective sureties, and the certification of survivorship.
Sétima. Presentar á la contaduría general de propios, la cuenta general de los productos de los bienes del fondo piadoso, acompañando las de los administradores cuandolos haya, á cuyo efecto las exigira de éstos con la oportunidad necesaria.	Seventh. To lay before the auditor-general a general account of the proceeds of the properties of the Pious Fund accompanying those of the administrator’s, if any, for which purpose these accounts shall be seasonably demanded from the latter.
Octava. Cuidar de que los arrendatarios y los administradores, á su vez, vefifiquen á su debido tiempo los enteros en la casa de moneda.	Eighth. To see to it that the lessees and administrators on their part shall in their turn and at the proper time verify the deposits in the treasury.
Novena. Proponer al gobierno las cantidades que puedan remitirse a cada una de las Californias, segun sus respectivos gastos, y la existencia que haya de caudales.	Ninth. To name to the Government the amounts which may be remitted to each one of the Californias, in accordance with their respective expenses and available funds.
11. El secretario llevará un libro de actas de la junta, otro de los caudales que entraren en depósito en la casa de moneda, cuyas partidas se comprobarán con los recibos que expida el superintendente de ella, y otro de las cantidades que se libraren contra éste. Todas las partidas, sean de cargo ó data, á la casa de moneda, las firmarán los individuos de la junta.	11. The secretary shall keep a journal of the proceedings of the board, statement of moneys deposited in the treasury, the entries in which shall be supported by the vouchers delivered by the superintendent of said treasury, and another book of the amounts which are drawn against the same. All the entries, whether of debit or credit, in the treasury shall be signed by the members of the board.
12. El superintendente de la casa de monedá se abonará el 1 por ciento de premio sobre las cantidades que recibiere en depósito, será responsable de éstas, y solo se le pasarán en data los pagos que hiciere en virtud de libramiento firmado por los individuos de la	12. The superintendent of the treasury shall receive 1 per cent premium on the amounts that may be deposited with him, shall be responsible for the same, and such payments only shall be credited to him as he may make under warrants signed by the members of the
junta, autorizado por el secretario de ella, y eon el dése del secretario del despacho de Relaciones.	board, authorized by the secretary of the said board, and with the approval of the secretary of foreign affairs.
13. La junta, dentro de los tres meses siguientes á su instalacion, formará su reglamento interior, y lo pasará á la aprobaeion del gobierno.	13. The board shall, within three months after its organization, frame its internal regulations and submit the same to the approval of the Government.
(Se circuló por la Secretaría de relaciones en dicho dia 25, y se publicó en bando del 1° de Junio.)	(Published by the department of foreign affairs on the said 25th day, and promulgated by proclamation on the 1st of June.)

September 19, 1836.

[Leg. Mex., 1835–1840, p. 194.]

Ley: Sobre ereccion de un obispado en las dos Californias.	Law; For the establishment of a bishopric in the two Californias.
Art. 1. El gobierno, oyendo á los que por derecho toque, y á los demás que jusgue oportuno, formará un expediente instructivo de la necesidad que haya de erigir un obispado en las dos Californias.	Art. 1. The Government after hearing such parties as by law may be entitled to a hearing on the subject, and such other persons as it may think proper to hear, shall thereupon make a report with regard to the necessity of creating a bishopric in the two Californias.
Art. 2. Si del expediente resultare haber aquella necesidad, dará cuenta con él a la Santa Sede para la aprobaeion y ereccion de dicha mitra.	Art. 2. If the report should show that there is such a necessity, the Holy See shall be duly informed of the report, for it to approve of it, and create such a see.
Art. 3. El gobierno escogerá la persona que creyere mas conveniente, de la terna que al afecto forme el cabildo metropolitano, y la propondrá á Su Santidad.	Art. 3. The Government shall select from three nominees, presented by the archbishop’s council, the person whom it thinks most suitable, and submit his name for appointment to His Holiness.
Art. 4. Al electo se le acudirá del erario público con seis mil pesos anuales miéntras el obispado no cuente con rentas suficientes.	Art. 4. The person elected shall receive from the public revenues six thousand dollars per annum, until such time as the bishopric shall be in receipt of a sufficient income.
Art. 5. Durante las mismas circunstancias se le auxiliará del proprio erario con tres mil pesos para la expedicion de las bulas y traslacion á su silla episcopal.	Art. 5. During a continuation of the same circumstances the public revenue shall furnish a subsidy of three thousand dollars for despatching the bulls and the traveling expenses of the episcopate.
Art. 6. Se pondrán á disposicion del nuevo obispo y de sus sucesores, los bienes pertenecientes al fondo piadoso de Californias, para que los administren é inviertan en sus objetos ú otros análogos, respetando siempre la voluntad de los fundadores.	Art. 6. The property belonging to the Pious Fund of the Californias shall be placed at the disposal of the new bishop and his successors, to be by them managed and employed for its objects or other similar ones, always respecting the wishes of the founders.
Se circuló en el mismo dia 19 por la secretaría de justieia, y se publicó en Vando de 22.	The present was put in circulation on the same day—the 19th—by the department of justice, and was officially made public on the 22d.

February 8, 1842.

[Leg. Mex., 1841–1844, p. 111.]

Decreto del gobierno: Reasume el gobierno la administracion é inversion del fondo piadoso de Californias.	Decree of the Government: The Government reassumes the administration and investment of the Pious Fund of the Californias.
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, etc., sabed:	Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, etc., know ye:
Que siendo de un interés general y verdaderamente nacionales todos los objetos á que está destinado el fondo piadoso de Californias, y debiendo por lo mismo estar bajo el inmediato cuidado y administracion del supremo gobierno, como ándes lo habia estado, he venido en decretar:	That whereas all the purposes for which the Pious Fund of the Californias is intended are truly of a general and national importance, and should therefore be under the immediate care and management of the supreme government as it formerly was, I have made the following decree:
Art. 1. Se deroga el Artículo 6 del decreto de 19 Setiembre, 1836, en que se privó al gobierno de la administracion del fondo piadoso de Californias, y se puso á disposicion del reverendo obispo de esa nueva diócesis.	Art. 1. The sixth article of the law of the 19th of September, 1836, by which the Government relinquished the management of the Pious Fund of the Californias, and the same was then placed at the disposal of the right reverend bishop of the new diocese is hereby repealed.
Art. 2. En consecuencia volverá a estar á cargo del supremo gobierno nacional la administracion é inversion de estos bienes en el modo y términos que este disponga, para llenar el objeto que se propuso el donante, con la civilizacion y conversion de los bárbaros.	Art. 2. The administration and employment of this property shall therefore again become the charge of the supreme Government, in such way and manner as it shall direct, for the purpose of carrying out the intention of the donor, in the civilization and conversion of the savages.
Por tan to, mando se imprima, publique, circule y se le dé el debido cumplimiento.	Wherefore, I order the present to be printed, published, circulated, and duly observed.

October 24, 1842.

[Leg. Mex., 1841–1844, p. 301.]

Decreto del gobierno: Sobre incorporation al erario de todos los bienes del fondo piadoso de Californias.	Decree of the Government: Respecting the incorporation into the public treasury of all the properties of the Pious Fund of the Californias.
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, etc., sabed:	Antonia Lopez de Santa Anna, etc., know ye:
Que teniendo en consideration que el decreto de 8 de Febrero del presente año que dispuso volviera á continuar al cargo del supremo gobierno el cuidado y administracion del fondo piadoso de Californias, como lo habia estado anteriormente, se dirige á que se logren con toda exactitud los benéficos y nacionales objetos que se propuso la fundadora, sin la menor pérdida de los bienes destinados al intento; y considerando asi mismo, que esto solo puede conseguirse capitalizando los propios bienes é imponiéndolos á rédito, bajo las debidas seguridades, para evitar así los gastos de administracion y cualesquiera otros que puedan sobrevenir; usando de las facultades que me concede la séptima de las bases acordadas en Tacubaya y sancionadas por la nacion, he tenido á bien decretar lo siguiente:	That whereas the decree of February 8 of the present year, directing that the administration and care of the Pious Fund of the Californias should redevolve on and continue in the charge of the Government, as had previously been the case, was intended to fulfill most faithfully the beneficent and national objects designed by the foundress without the slightest diminution of the properties destined to the end; and whereas the result can only be attained by capitalizing the funds and placing them at interest on proper securities, so as to avoid the expenses of administration and the like, which may occur, in virtue of the power conferred on me by the seventh article of the bases of Tacubaya, and sanctioned by the nation, I have determined to decree as follows:
Art. 1°. Las fincas rústicas y urbanas, los créditos activos y demas bienes pertenecientes al fondo piadoso de Californias, quedan incorporados al erario nacional.	Art. 1. The real estate, urban and rural, the credits, and all other property belonging to the Pious Fund of the Californias are incorporated into the national treasury.
2°. Se procederá por el mmisterio de hacienda á la venta de las fincasy demas bienes pertenecientes al fondo piadoso de Californias, por el capital que representen al 6 por 100 de sus productos anuales, y la hacienda pública roconocerá al rédito del mismo 6 por 100 el total producido de estas enagenaciones.	2. The minister of the treasury will proceed to sell the real estate and other property belonging to the Pious Fund of the Californias for the capital represented by their annual product at 6 per cent per annum. And the public treasury will acknowledge an indebtedness of 6 per cent per annum on the total proceeds of the sales.
3°. La renta del tabaco queda hipotecada especialmente al pago de los réditos correspondientes al capital del referido fondo de Californias, y la direccion del ramo entregara las cantidades necesarias para cumplir los objetos á que está destinado el mismo fondo, sin deduccion alguna por gastos de administration, ni otro alguno.	3. The revenue from tobacco is specially pledged for the payment of the income corresponding to the capital of the said fund of the Californias, and the department in charge thereof will pay over the sums necessary to carry on the objects to which said fund is destined without any deduction for costs, whether of administration or otherwise.
Por tanto, etc.	Wherefore, etc.

April 3, 1845.

[Leg. Mex. 1845–1850, p. 13.]

Ley: Sobre devolución de créditos y bienes del fondo piadoso de Californias.	Law: For the restitution of the interests and properties of the Pious Fund of the Californias.
El Excmo. Sr. presidente interino se ha servido dirigirme el decreto que sigue:	The most excellent president ad interim has been pleased to forward to me the following decree:
José Joaquin de Herrera, general de division y presidente interino de la República mexicana, á los habitantes de ella, sabed:	José Joaquin de Herrera, general of division and president ad interim of the Mexican Republic, to the inhabitants thereof:
Que el congreso general ha decretado y el ejecutivo sancionado, lo siguiente:	Know ye that the general Congress has decreed and the executive sanctioned the following:
Los créditos y los demas bienes del fondo piadoso de Californias que existan invendidos, se devolverán immediatamenteal re verendo obispo de aquella mitra y sus sucesores, para los objetos de cpe habla el art. 6° de la ley de 29 de Setiembre de 1836, sin perjuicio de lo que el congreso resuelva acerca de los bienes que están enajenados.	The credits and other properties of the Pious Fund of the Californias which are now unsold shall be immediately returned to the reverend bishop of that see and his successors, for the purposes mentioned in article 6 of the law of September 29, 1836, without prejudice to what Congress may resolve in regard to the property that has been alienated.