Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1864-12-23

| lcotrespoudcnce Of the Courier dos Etats Unisl
MEXICO, August lG, 1864
Every mail arriving from the United States
brings me more letters, in which | am aske0
10 regard TO the chances for the future OF va
| rious undertakings or callings IN the new em-
pite Of Mexico The confidence with which
| am thus honored, haiters ard affects me the
more, because | am personally unknoan TO
many Of those who thus address me. But
this, M the same time, is an.ahduional reason
thatl should respond TO their enquiries with
the utmost lraukness. Thus far I have re-
spopdedto such letters individually but this
portion OF my correspondence Is rapidly as
suming proportions which renders this inn
possible. know also, that besides those who
address themselves TO me, there are many
others Influenced by the same wishes aud the
same hopes A public statement OF my views
seema, therefore, the best mode Of giving such
information Bs will enable each one to decide
for himself In doing so, | beg those who
have written TO me, to excuse the indirect
mode Of answering their letters whchl lind
myself compelled to adopt
NY opinion upon the advantages OF imme-
diate immigration 10 Mexico has already been
given at tho close OF one OF my late commu-
nications In my Judgment, it would be pre-
mature and fertile in disappointment to by
far the greatest majority OF the new comers.
The principal ground upon which this opin-
ion is based ia not, as may be imagined, the
disturbances which still reign in the country.
Although the work of pacGcation has not
yet been completed, what may be called the
military troubes do not give me any serious
uueasiness They are rapidly approaching an
end, in spite Of the apparent Importance they
~, in nd
the few months necessary for the travelling
preparations Of those who intend to como,
will suffice, have not the least doubt, 10
make Mexico tranquil, unanimous in its sup
port Of the Empire, and delivered frcm the
scourge of guerrillas, more or less POLITICAL
which still harass it
But the re establishment Of security is not
| the only condition necessary to promise TO
| the immigrant that prosperity, the hope of
which draws him to a new country. 1t is ne
cessary that he should have assurance of find
| ing there a normal condition in regard to
commercial undertakings and industrial pur-
suits, and above all situation clearly defined
in regard to everything relating to personal
rights aud privileges. Now in regard to both
these matters, nothing has cen done, nothing
appears likely 10 be done for some little time,
and the state Of affairs existing in the past
needs transformation from the foundation be-
fore the foreign element can be called into
Mexico in any considerable proportion
First of all, the absolute equality of rights
between the native and the foreigner, indis
peDsable to the success OF the latter, does not
exist in the laws. For instance, it is neces
sary that one should be Mexican citizen in
order to claim The right Of working a mine
which he may have discovered
To this grave Inconvenience must beadded
the uncertainty hanging over the immigrant
as to the amount of taxes which he will have
TO pay upon any branch OF industry he may
desire to prosecute. Nothing is yet fixed in
regard TO imposts; neither as to land, personal
or polltaxes, or in regard to patents. The
tariff and all custom house regulations must
also undergo a complete transformation which
will seriously affect every thing relating to
portations
/ In regard to agriculture, every thing is il
possible, still less definite, AS nothing like
a re stry of lands exists, and as the actual
extent Of the immense territorial concessions
made in the past is extremely vague, the
State virtually finds itself without foot of
land which it can dispose of to the immigrant
with certainty Of profit to him He will not
be able, an most cases, to rely with aliy GER
tainty upon rights derived irem any transac-
ton with landed proprietor, on account OF
the chaos which prevails 10 every thing rela-
ting TO conveyancihe and the value OF
titles
In apurely commeroial point Of view, it is
essential to wait until the normal movement
Of traffic shall be re-established throughout
! the empire. In the actual state Of affairs the
only markets really open are those on the
line from Vera Cruz to Mexico and those are
nearly eorged by too heavy importations
The field which Mexico will offer to foreign
activity is immense and fertile; but to enter
upon its cultivation with precipitation, anG
before the new government has had time Il
prepare it, will be to compromise its future
is promised land toward which il is natura
that many should look with hope; but th,
time has not yet come for immigration el
ndsse. The position is such as to require som
months in order TO movethe chances Of dis
: appointment and establish guarantees Of sue
I cess q
81 .I.. L MASSERAS.