Washington sentinel., 1853-12-08
From the New york Herald. 8Etti
The Vera Cruz and Mexican Railroad


Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, benemerito,
general of division, grand cross of the royal
and distinguished order of Carlos III. of Spain,
and president of the Mexican republic, to all
to whom these presents come, know all men
that, according to the powers conferred upon
him by the nation, he DEGREES as follows: ay
Article l. To Don Juan Laurie Richards is
conceded the exclusive right to construct and
and carry out railroad from Vera Cruz to
Mexico, passing by Puebla.
Art. 2. The route from Vera Cruz to Puebla
shall be through the lands recognized as most
convenient, and the route from Puebla to Mex
leo will be by the plains of Apan.
Art. 8. The grounds needed for the construc.
ton of the road, for the officers dwellings, or
workshops wanted for the building and conduct
of the said road, shall be furnished the directors
free of all cost and in perpetual possession, see
ing the great advantages which must result to
the present owners of such lands because Of
their neighborhood to the railway.
Art. 4. The materials for the road, whether
natural or foreign productions, all goods, etc.,
which may be necessary for the use and service
of the agents, employees, and laborers, as well
as all kinds of carriages, cars and other yehi
cles for transport all machines, tools, houses
offices, dwellings, stations, coal, animals and
their harness necessary, shall be free Of all du-
ty, taxation, contribution or impost now exist
ing, or hereafter to exist, Of whatever class or
denomination.
Art. 5. The government will assure to the
company its properties and its foreign en-
ployees the protection which existing treaties
guarantee to such foreigners, as well for their
persons as for their property and interests.
Art. 8. All Mexican employees, operatives,
ar n shall ha
service during the time of their engagement
with the said company.
Art Z. The Senior Juan Laurie Richards en-
cages to form and constitute the said company
within eight months from the granting of this
privilege, and will officially advise the Mexican
plenipotentiary in London of the formation
and installation of said company, its statutes
and its regulations, for publication in the Mex
ican republic. s
Art. 8. The company's headquarters will be
in London, and onefourth of the shares shall
be reserved, during one year, for the inhab-
ltants OF the Mexican republic who may desire
to purchase, and a subscription book for this
purpose shall be opened in Mexico.
Art. y. SO soon as the company shall be
formed, numerous engineers shall proceed to
survey the lands which shall be found most ia.
vorable to the course which the railway shall
pursue, and when the survey shall have been
made wholly or in part, the plans shall be sub
mtted to the supreme government, and, per-
mission obtained, the works shall be begun
In case of any unforeseen obstacle which shall
render the construction of railway impossible
at one or more points, the company shall con-
struct a carriage road to communicate with the
separated points of the railway, and this cir
cumstance shall be considered as of absolute
necessity, and shall in no way furnish motive
for the withdrawal Of this grant ~
Art 10. AS soon as the official notice of the
of this company is received in Mexi-
co, skillful persons shall be chosen, one by the
government and one by the company to value
that part of the road which is now built, its
cars, houses, offices, utensils and whatever else
belongs to it. Should these persons disagree,
they shall choose third, whose decision shall
be definitive and obligatory upon all contract
ing parties. At the conclusion of this valua.
ton, the road, its carriages, offices, and appur-
tenances shall be given to the company in per-
petual possession, Mt q rent Of six per cent. up
on the valuation of the property. -
Art ]. Before the railway is finished and
opened to the public, the company shall advise
with the supreme government as to the rate of
charges for passengers, freight, and baggage.
Art. H. 1t is further agreed and covenanted
that this grant shall extend ITSELF on the same
conditions, to any branch or branches which
the company may see fit to establish, subject
to the appreciation Of the supreme govern
ment.
Art. l3 Once finished, the road from Vera
Cruz to Mexico, and the branches named in
the last article, together with all their appurte.
nances, shall be considered as the company's
property IN pe,pet,tum
Art. H. The transport Of the mails by this
railway, or its branches, shall be the subject of
separate contract or contracts when the proper
line arrives.
Art 10. In return for these concessions by |
he supreme government, the company binds |
tself to transport the troops and employees Of |
he government when on service, as well as
he government munitions and other effects, at |
ialf the cost demanded of the public. The |
government shall also receive ten per cent on |
he dividend paid to shareholders. Also, the
company shall admit the engineers designated |
y government to an opportunity Of completing
heir theoretic studies by practice in the sur.
'eys and construction of the road and its |
branches, and promises to employ, by permis-
non OF the supreme government, such Of them
rs are fully qualified.
Art 10. Should any doubt arise about the |
Interpretation or execution OF the present con- |
ract, the said doubt, shall be decided by two
,eferees, one named by the government and
ne other by the company, and should they dis
lgree, they shall choose a third, from whose |
iecision there shall be no appeal. Il ai'o ata
ADDITIONAL ARTICLES.
/. If the company be not formed in Lon
Ion in six months from this date, the contract
becomes null and void. f
2. If the nationality of the company be not
Anglo-Me it is likewise null.
3. If the company be formed in six months |
n sooner on the day of its installation the
company shall guarantee to the Mexican minis.
er in London, validly and satisfactorily, the |
execution and completion Of the railway.
This contract is ordered to be printed, pub
ished and circulated.
Given at the palace Of the national govern.
nent in Tacubaya, this 3lst Of October, 1863. |
ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA,
et4. A. ID JoAouIy Vrr Aaorro ms I ,,rx,