The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-04-16 00:00:00

MEXICO.

The Memorial presented to the two Chambers of the Genera
Congress of the Mexican Federation, by the Secretary of State,
Don Lucas Alaman, gives an interesting detail of the political
condition of the Republic. It is dated January IL
Senor Alaman begins by a statement of the foreign relations of
the Federation. Ile refers to the continued indisposition of Spain
to enjoy the many and great advantages which she might derive
from cultivating the relations of peace and amity with the American
States. lie praises the admirable frankness with which, in the
documents laid before Parliament, the British Ministry declared its
views respecting the intervention of any other Power in the con-
test between Spain and her colonies. The formal diffculties raised
in Colombia as to the mode of receiving the British Consuls, do
not seen to have occurred in Alexico. The Minister says—
" The Consul-General named by his Britannic Majesty, and those
destined for the principal ports of the Federation, have entered
upon the exercise of their functions, the customary Kregrwher
having been given to their credentials, and the diplomatic agents
of the same Government have been received and treated in the
manner required by the consideration due to a nation—the first of
those of Europe that has opened frank relations of friendship and
good understanding with the stepublie. These relations will be
drawn more and more close by the communications which the esta-
blithment of packets, which sail every month from the ports of
England, will render frequent and regular_by the activity which
this arrangement will give to the trade between the two nations—
and by the commercial interests which are formed and multiplied in
both countries. These commercial relations have so fu increased
with respect to most foreign nations, that they will make palpable
to all of them how great are the benefits of our independence. '
Senor Alaman then mentions the friendly disposition of the
United States, and the reception of D. P. Obregon as the Mexican
Minister at Washington ; and the ratification by Colombia of a
Treaty for • general league between all the States that have shaken
off the Spantsb yoke.
He observes, that the independence of the ancient kingdom of
Guatemala, under the title of The United Provinces of the Centre
of America, having been solemnly recognised by Mexico, the Pro-
vince of Chlapas had for a time hesitated whether they would form
part of the Mexican or the Central Federation. After a friendly
correspondence on the subject, Chiapas, with the exception of a
few districts, resolved to unite itself to the Mexican Republic, and
was admitted as one of the States of the Federation, which thus,
the Minister observes, had the number of its component parts in.
creased by one of those conquests of opinion in whiter violence bears
no part.
In trestingof the internal affairs of the Republic, the Minister
states that, since the proclamation of the Constitution, the Presi-
dent has had no occasion to resort to the extraordinary powers
gasseed to him. - The effects of thireeedwer, at once moderate and
vigorous, have been that the tranquillity of the people hag been
preserved is the midst of the ;rarest asses of commotion*, and
that these causes have been allayed without the evils and die-
asters of civil war.

On account of the circumstances of Europe, some precautions
have been necessary with respect to the admission of strangers, and
that with regret the Government has been compelled to adopt is
passport system on the coast, though it is anxious that the necet.
shy for it should cease, in order to remove all trammels from the
communication and commerce with foreigners.
On the subject of the liberty of the press, a Committee has been
formed to consider new regulations, instead of those which expert.
etlee has proved defective. It is desirable, observes the Minister,
to render pctfect this institution, which, like all others that may
produce immense good, threatens also great evil when it is distorted
from its purpose ; certainly, he adds, nothing is so difficult as to
form a regulation which, preserving in all its extent the liberty of
thinking and of publishing opinions, restrains licentiousness and
calumny.
After adverting to the measures adopted to promote the public
security, and suppress the banditti by whom so many robberies and
crimes were committed last year, the Minister gives an interesting
account of the efforts of the Government in the diffusion of vacci.
nation, and other measures for the preservation of public health.
In speaking of Public Instruction, the Minister sap, that the
Governments of some of the States have adopted with the most
' laudable zeal the best means for the establishment of primary
schools in all the districts, and for the perfecting of the method of
instruction.

Under the head of Industry, the Minister speaks of the mines in
tl.e following terms:—" The mines are the fountain of the true
riches of this nation, and whatever some speculative econo.
mists have said against this maxim, has been victoriously re-
futid by experience. Thus we have constantly seen agriculture,
commerce, and industry follow the progress of the mines—advancing
with them, and declining in the same proportion. The cause of
this internal connection between these essential branches of national
prosperity, is the natate of the greatest part of our mineral veins—.
poir in quality, but excessively abundant in quantity. Thence
follows the necessity of employing a multitude of hands, of ma.
ch Mai and cattle, as well for raising, as for the relining of the me-
tal, which gives occasion to immense consumption, and is equiva-.
lent to an immense consumption of produce, and gives an impulse
in turn to all arts, and in particular to agriculture. Thus it Is that
the encouragement given to the mining is an encouragement to all
other branches of industry, and the re-establishment and propriety
of all, and, consequently, of the nation, is simultaneous. in the
Memorial which I presented to the Supreme Constituent Congresa,
I gave greater extension to these ideas, and announced that we
might flatter ourselves that this important branch of industry
would soon flourish, since foreign capitalists were disposed to in-
vest in it the large sums which It required, and which we should
in vain attempt to find at home.
" Events have confirmed my announcement. Three companies
for working the mines, with very considerable capitals, have been
formed in England, and another in Germany, for the same pimmee.
By means of these Companies, the rich mines !in the vein of Del
Monte, and in Guanajuato, those of N'alenciana, Hayes, Cam,
hirena, and other smaller ones, are actually at work, and others
have been contracted for. In Catorce, the working of the mine of
Gitadalute has been undertaken, and the draining of that of l'on-
cepcion is concluded by means of a steam-engine. Another ma-
chine of this kind has also been established in Temascaltepee, and
the good result which it has had on that vein, as well as on that of
Catorce, has proved evidently bow preferable its use is over all
other engines in those places where the abundance of fuel permits
its establishment, although for general purposes its expediency is a
question more difficult to resolve.
" A great impulse has consequently been given to the mines.
Hopes are general ; and after so many years of paralvzstion and
decline, we now see a new epoch of prosperity and riches again ap-
proach ; may Heaven grant that it be realised, and to the general
satisfaction which these hones inspire, I may be permitted to join
the particular pleasure which I derive from having had a part in
giving them birth.
" If we consider the infusion of foreign capital for the menu.
ragement of our industry, this connection of interests will certainly
appear an important advantage. In virtue of which our fate can-
not be indifferent to the commercial nations of Europe, who have
so loudly declared for the recognition of our independence, mid
who have made it (to use the expression) their own cause."

Letters of the 12th March, from Zante, give various
accounts relative to the disembarkation at Modon. One
is, that the Egyptian force that had landed there was im-
mediately cut to pieces by the Greeks. Another, that the
siege of Patras was raised in consequence of the diversion ;
and that the garrison had made a sortie, and carried in a
great quantity of cattle. It is also stated that Prince
Mavrocordato, who had repaired to Napoli di Romania,
had protected two of the disaffected Chiefs, and prevented
them from being brought to justice. Dissensions are NO
to exist amongst the Chiefs ; but the whole of these ac-
counts are so vague that we place no reliance on them.

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