Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-04-23
EMIGRATION To MEXICO.
Letter from Gen. Early.
HAVANA, April Is, 1866,
n, "A, Edifor of the Nelo York NeirS:


HAVANA, April 10, 1866,
tn the Editor Of the NeiO York Neirs:
SIM. have lust returned from Mexico, after a So
io1rn of three months in that country. Having re-
eeyed from Virginia several letters OF enquiry in re-
gard 10 the prospects for emigrants TO Mexico and
having learned that many persons IN that as well as
the other Southern States desire to emgrste, will
state through your columns, the result Of my own
observation and the information received nom others
on whose judgment could rely. l must state, IN
the first place that my personal observation Oh tns
country was confined to what l saw IN passing anu
re-passng the stage route nom Hera SlI 49, "
the city OF MeXico-the greater part OF NY ~ =; a.
ing been spent in the latter city. Inc IanuS h;I
Cordoya district and about OriZava, tnr0ugn winch
tba 90 ronte masses are unquestionaby rich, and
;ntsiI;gsnt gentiemen who had seen other parts of
tbe co3ntry informed me that there were other dis
tricts in which the lands were very rich and capable
of being made very productive by the proper use Of
captal and labor. But colonists will have many
difficulties to encounter in all Of them. There has
been systematic effort to survey or ascertain the
locality of the public lands until thatrecently made
under the superintendent Of General Magruder,
Chief of the Land Office. All the lands at Cordova
which have been surveyed as public lands have been
already parceed out and have supplied but small
number of coOnists. Land titles in Mexico are in
very unsettled condition. and but few men know the
boundaries Of their own lands So uniformed Is
the Government itself in regard to the lands to which
]
al Hardeman Of Texas for the survey Of the public
lands in Durango the whole risk and expense of dis
covering these lands have been thrown on him, and
he is to receive compensation only in the event OF
his being able TO find and survey the lands the Gov
eminent not even undertaking to furnish him pro-
lection against gueuillas and robbers, while he is
engaged in fulfilling his contract The lands offered
by private individuals in alternate sections TO colon
lists so far as informed, are in remote districts
where the Liberals or Dissdents, they are called,
have control and the Government afford no pro-
lection The very highly colored accounts of the
country and its resources which have been published
and the expectations of a large influx of emigrants
which have been excited, have caused proprietors
having lands for sale to increase enormously the prices
asked for Them and many persons who have recently
arrived in the country have been unable to proc ure
lands either from the Government or from private In
diyduals. The legitimate consequence OF all this has
been that many are returning in great state Of dis
satisfaction while Others who relied on the delusve
promises of aid from the Government lind them
selves not only without the means ofobtainng lands
but of returning to their former homes. 1t is exceed
inQly difficult for those who have succeeded in getting
lands to procure labor to put them in state of Gull
tiyation as the native population cannot be relied on
for that purpose. All idea of procuring assistance
from the Government must be abandoned by those
who desire to emigrate to the country. have no
doubt that Mexico has resources which, under a
stable government and with capital and labor suff-
Gent are susceptible of very considerable develop
ment; but those who go there expecting to find the
beautiful ana fruitful lanu winch Is uesCTOeu III
some of the published accounts, will be doomed to
as sad disappointment as that experienced by the
old Spanish conquerors in their search for the tabled
Eldorado. On the railroad which IS being con-
structed from Vera Cruz to the City OF Mexico, prae
teal and experienced engineers contractors and me-
chanics may find employment, but otherwise very
few positions are open TO those who do not wish to
cultivate the soil. Physicians who can speak the
language can get permission to practice their pro-
LESSONS, but beyond this there is no opening what
g. 90 fba
As to the stability Of the Government, l will state
that have no information, except what may be OBJ
tanned by any sOjourner in the country who cannot
speak the language. Though remained in the ma
tiona capital for nearly three months, did not see,
even casually, so far as | know the Emperor, En-.
press, or any minister of the Government nor did
seek to see them. think, however, am warranted
in saying that any one who desires TO make Mexico
his permanent home, must do without reference to
the duration of the present Government. lnforma-
ton to the length of time which that Government
is to be maintained in the country is not to be OBJ
tanned in Mexico.
have not advised any of my personal friends to
emigrate to the country, and my knowledge Is not
sufficient to justify me in now giving any positive
advice either way; but, though my own detemna-
ton to remain in exile is unchanged, feel deep
interest in the welfare of all my cOuntrymen OF the
Southern States, and the knowledge which ! OBJ
tanned from my observation as well as from the
information of Others is sufficient not only to au-
thOriZe me, but, in my estimation, to make 1t my
duty to advise all those who DESTROYS of seeking
new homes not to give up their present ones and
emigrate to Mexico, until they shall have examined
the country in person. or ascertained through some
friend on whose Judgment and experience they can
rely, that their situations will be bettered. Above
all, let no man who has wife and children
carry them to Mexico until he has secured certain
home and a fair prospect of support for them. By
observing this caution much disappointment and suf
ferng will be avoided.
send this communication to your paper for pub.
lication as have no doubt that in that way it will
sooner reach the mass of the readers for whom is
intended than in any other
Respectfully, j. A. EARLY.