Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-07-26
THE TEHUANTEPEc TREATY.

THE TEHUANTEPEC TREATY.
We insert in another column an article from an
officer of the Tehuantepec surveying party, which
d;scloses tn us some errors in the article which we
copied on Tuesday from the New York Courier
and ENQUIRER on the subject of the Garay
grant. Not having given any great attention
ourselves to the various grants for communities
tons across the continent to connect the two oceans
which have from time to time, during many years,
been proposed to or made by the different Govern
nents of the South, we had not examined particu-
larly the history of the Garay grant for the Te-
huantepec route which has lately been brought into
contest; therefore, finding in the Courier calm
and apparently fair statement Of the case, we trans
ferred it to our columns. Perceiving, however, by
the article which we insert to-day, that there were
some inaccuracies in that statement, we have con-
suited the proper documents and other authentic
sources to place our readers in possession of the
true facts of transaction which has become SO
prominent topic Of discussion.
In February, ls42, Don JOSE DE GARAY presented
apetition to the Mexican Government, SANTA ANNA
being then President setting forth the immense ad-
vantages that would result from communication
by railway or ship canal across the Isthmus Of Te
huantepec, and submitting proposals for executing
such work. To these proposals the Government
acceded, and on The first day of March Of that year
a decree was issued by SANTA ANNA whereby the
exclusive privilege of constructing the work was
conceded to GARAY. The decree also made grant
to him of sail the unoccupied lands for distance
of ten leagues, on either side of the line Of COM
munication, in fee simple" The Government also
engaged that the contractor should have every
protection and assistance as well for efecting the
survey as for carrying on the works." Sundry
conditions were annexed to the grant, one OF which
was that the contractor should cause to be made,
at his own expense, survey Of the ground and d.
rection which the road should follow, and also OF
the parts which may be deemed most commodious
all which shall be concluded at furthest within the
space of eighteen months from the date hereof, and
the work shall be commenced within the space Of
ten months next thereafter contract was drawn
up in conformity with this decree, which was sign
ed by Don ]. M. DE BocANEGRA, Minister of the
Home Department, and by JOSE DE GARAy, of which
the following is translation:
That for the fu6ment Of the preceding decree. and
accordance with the enacments of the Supreme Government
was determined draw up and the title deeds to
which REFERS eecng them in the best and binding
FORM and therefore he declares that IN the and with the
power of the Supreme Government fully and extraordinarily
authorized by the before mentioned seventh and by it's
especial he grants Don Jose de Garay the exclusive
power of opening and constructing the Ihmus of Tehuan-
tepec communication between the Pacific and Atlantic
oceans with the obligations rights and advantages ain
ed in the penseed decree dated the lst instant concedng
to him, in full right Of property and dominion, all the
lands in the shmus within ten leagues either side Of the
projected communication, granting him also the right
possessed by the nation Of making of ha private properly
for objects Of public utility that he may acquire the grounds
for the transit including the space
league either side, with due and previous remuneration
to the propeors according valuaton and without regard
the increased value which the grounds afterwards
aure consequence Of the projected works and the expenses
incurred by the parties eeciDg the communication and
der no excuse whatever will the Government lay any
mpost upon any of the articles passing through the shmus
during the period in which the proprietos of transit shall
have the exclusive enjoyment Of its proceeds we'll the
regulation of it's mentioned in the seventh and
eighth clauses That in the of the Supreme Govern
men and under the most solemn protests he declares and
promises that all and every Of the concessions mentioned
m the prenserted decree shall be honoraby fulfilled now
and all times pedgng the honor and public faith Of the
nation maintain the protector Don Jose de Gsray, we'll
private individual company succeeding represent
ing him, either natives foreigners in the undistubtd
oymen of ell the concessions granted holding national
administration responsible for any acts Of its its agents.
which from Of proper fulmer Of the might
njure the interest of the popeos all Of subject to
the of the inserted decree And Don Jose de
Garay being also present. and whom hereby certify know,
said that he had accepted and again accepts the
toned contract and soemnly submitted all and every
Of the conditions therein expressed according the
the prensered decree Of the Supreme Governments and be
willingly forfeit the privileges granted him, ard
whatever he those who might succeed him should
have advanced, by unforeseen event the line Of
ncation shall be established; and be Is also willing that
the enterprise should be held bound to fulfil all that is here
agreed upon And his excelency the authorized Minister
Of State and the DON lose de Gasy, their respective
capacities any laws in their favor and hold this
the most binding obligation accepting and taking for granted
any additional clause which might make it still more
"It declared and signed by his exceency the Min
lister and also by Don 10 de Garay and witnessed by Don
Manuel Madaaga, Don Manuel Rojo, and Don Jose Mem
doza Of this city which certify.
"J. M. DE BocAHEsRA.
"JosE GARAY.
"FRANcIsco MADARIAaA,
"Notary Public and National"
GARAY Immediately set about the fu6lment Of
his contract. A survey was commenced, and in
less than nine months was completed.
ar. On the 9th Of February, ls43, the Government,
having been notified by him of this fact, directed
the Governors of Oajaca and Vera Cruz to put
him " in possession Of the untenanted lands that
lie within ten leagues Of both sides Of the line of
the road" and to afford him every facility and pro-
lection in the prosecution Of the work.
decree was issued on the same day by Bravo,
he Provisional President declaring that the grant
included all lands on the line of the road that were