The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-21
IMPORTANT TO COMMERCE.

Decree Of the Bolivian Government.
We take from a number of the Epoca, published at La
Paz. the capital Of Bolivia the important decree Just
made by the government opening the rivers in that re-
public to universal navigation and establishing several
free ports alsng their courses.
REPUBLIC OF BOLIVIA
Minister OF State of the Department of Forei0n Raa
tions Palace Of the Supreme Government the 27th of
January 1s6s-forty fourth year Of the independence
THE PREszcr OF THR DEPARTMENT Or:
SENIOR PRxNkcTo-l have the pleasure of enclosing to
you an authenticated copy of the supreme decree this
dae declaring free to the of all nations the
navgable rivers of this republic and establishing free
ports the points which their shores appeared
Finding It impossible ourselves to effect this navigation
owing to the thin population of the country as also to
ITS want OF and industrial capacity the
great enterprise to the energy and competition of the
great commercial nations of the world to take on
by these means the fruitful principle Of the freedom OF
the applied to rivers will be the most liberal and
competent medium for promoting that constant active
and enlightened action which depends the whole ciyHi
zaton and future advancement OF the fertile dis
tricts OF Chqwtos, Guarayos ojos, Yuracarees, and
The vast Bolivian territories towards the eastern from
tier of the republic clearly defined by the treaties of
boundary between the crowns Of CASTLE and Portugal in
1750 and 1777 having been usurped for long time the
occasion has arrived that Bolivia awakening from the
her future should make available her unquestonable
rights to these territories well the navigation of
her rivers
In this particular her interests correspond with those
OF the rest of mankind.
Bolivia owing to her present situation, Is not able to
enter Immediately into the enjoyment and exercise OF
this right Of navigation the European nations the re
public of the United States and the other maritime pow
ers avng themselves of the right which is Guaranteed
to them by this decree will make it valuable to the re-
public at the same time rendering useful the waters Of
its mighty rivers, which, until now, have been totally
Providence, in making them navigable and extending
their courses through fields so expanded and fertile des
tined them for the common of all nations.
Thus the government understands it. and in conse
quence has wished to invite the whole world to this mag
nicent banquet Of the productions of the SOIL minerals
and the fruits of industry rare precious which
these bountifu regions pledge to the labor and cvlza
ton of man.
Do the favor to publish the suboned de ,ree through
every medium which may be at the command of the de-
Dios guarde a v Rubrica del Senior Presidente.
RAFAEL BUSTILLO.
The constitutional President Of Bolivia, &c
Whereas 1s the eastern and western parts of the
public enclosing vast territories of extraordinary fer
ity, intersected by navgable rivers flowing to the
Amazon and to the La Plata offer the most natural chan
nes for the commerce, population and civilization Of
Whereas 3D. the navigation of these rivers is the most
ecacous and certain of developing the riches OF
exterior and applying to its waters the fruitful principle
Of free navigation useful to the interests of the repub
lie to those of the world.
Whereas, Sd, by the law of nature and OF nations,
confirmed by the conventions of modern Europe and ap
piled in the New World to the navigation Of the Mssis-
hppi Bolivaas of the Pilcomayo of the tribu-
ares and the greater part Of the Madeira Of the left
shore Of the renes from it's junction with the Sarave to
the Paraguay 10 Marco del Janree far as 20 degrees
"a minutes Of south latude and of the greater part
these rivers from the point in her territory in which hev
be susceptible Of it to the sea- without any power
being able to arrogae to itself the exclusive sovereignty
over the Amazon and La Plata
Whereas 4th, this navigation cannot be effected with
out the necessary ports are afforded for trade
Therefore, be 1t decreed-
J.. afrcot To
commerce and mercantile navigation of all the nations
Of the globe the waters IF the navgable rivers which,
flowing through the territory of this nation empty into
the Amazon and Paraguay.
Cd The following declared free ports open to the
ever may be their Hag, destination, tonnage:
In the river Mamore-Exa.acon Trinidad, ana LsssAs.
In the Bsns--Rrrenavsqgs, Muchanfs snd MsgdaaenA.
In Chapare-Coni and Gilmore, tributaries of the Ma.
more; the points Of Asunta, Conf. and Gilmore.
In the rivers Mapri and Coroco tributaries of the
Beni; the points of Guanay and Coroco.
In the Pilcomayo-Ths port of Magazines, the east
coast OF the Paraguay La Bahia Negra and the point of
In the Bermejo-The point situated in q deg 80 min.
south latitude at which embarked in 1846 the national
engineers, Ondarza and Mai
3D. The vessels of Of friendly nations will also be
permitted to visit these ports.
unquestonabe rights which the nation has to navigate
these rivers as far as the Atlantic invites all the nations
OF the earth to navigate them and promises
1. To donate in the Bolivian territory by the au-
thoTty which the law allows tracts of land from
league to twelve leagues square, to the individuals
companions who, sailing from the Atlantic, shall arrive
at any of the points declared to be ports of entry
may wish to found them agricultural and indus
trial establishments.
2. To guaranty the reward of ten Thousand dollars
l0,OO0-to the first steamer which, through the Ia
Plata or Amazon may arrveat either of the above men,
toned points.
g. To declare free the river expectation Of the products
of the soil and the national industry.
5th In due time there will be established and regulated
at the above mentioned points where may necessary
custom houses for the loading and unloading of mer
chandise the government seeing that the charges for
the use Of these custom houses may be moderate
possible.
9Th This decree will be submitted for the examination
and approval of Congress on their next meeting.
7th. The Minister of State in the Office of Foreign Re-
htons is charged with it's fulflment by circulating it.
and communicating it to all whom it may
Given in the Palace Of the Supreme Government in la
Paz de Ayacucho 9th January 1S53forty fourth Of in
dependence and fourth of liberty.
MANUEL ISiDORO BEIZU,
Minister of Foreign Relatons-Rafae Bustllo
certified copy: AMARo ALVAREZ FL Official Mayor.