The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-06
MR.. ZAMACONA TO MR.. FOSTER.

| III IL. IA wi hODNh lo w LIN,
| Minister Zamaeona has recently addressed
the BaItimors Board Of Trade in reply TO the
letter OF Minister Foster diEcouraging trade
with Mexico. While observing In all respects
the stately courtesy due from the Mexican
Minister ut Washington to tho representative
Of the United States Mt the City of Mexico,
Mr. Tamacona nevertheless managed TO say
| that Mr.. Foster had slandered Mexicphnd her
commerce, and that, too, with a strong in
| timaton Of Interested motives. His position
was, however, a very fair and sensible
one. He declares most emphaticaly
that he has never endeavored to In
duee or persuade American merchants
or manufacturers to enter into commercial
relations with Mexico with their eyes shut,
and merely upon his own representations or
those of any other person influenced by inter
ested motives or national prejudices. All that
| he has endeavored to do during the past five
years. which he has devoted exclusively TO
bringing about better understanding be-
| tween the two peoples and the establishment
| Of such political and commercial relations as
should exist between adjoining republics, has
been to induce enlightened commercial men
| from the various cities Of the United States
| 10 go to Mexico and see and observe for
| themselves. The great obstacle In the way Of
closer relations between the two coun-
tries Is ian incredible degree q
reciprocal Ignorance on the part
of both people in regard to the social. polti-
cal, physical and economical conditions Of
each other. The only way to remove this
4 f,-
tually profitable intercourse is for enightend
and practical citizens OF the two countries to
| interchange visits and afford the opportunity,
through personal observation, OF correcting
this mutual error and ignorance.
TO this end Mr.. Iamacona has induced q
delegation OF merchants and manufacturers
from st. Louis, Chicago, and other cities Of
the United States, to visit the principal cities
OF Mexico. Great preparations have been
| made to receive them at the Mexican capital
and the government, which most heart
| lily sympathizes In his efforts TO
establish closer relations with this country,
Is looking forward most anxIously to the ar
rival OF the visitors, to whom every facility
for the fullest and most exhaustive investiga-
ton will be extended.
1t is only. by such personal observation
that the truth can be discovered. II it be
true, as Mr.. Foster asserts. that Mexico IL q
country yet!in a state OF semi barbarism.
that neither persons nor property are pro-
tected and secured. that the Mexican market
Is nothing but a decoy trap for foreign mer-
chants and manufacturers, the members Of
this delegation will certainly discover these
facts and make them known. IF. on the con-
trary," says Mr.. Iamacona, "the conclusion
Il arrived at that Mexico Ia a more or less ex-
tensive market, more or less productive, but
Offering immediate profit and future develop
ment, then an opportunity will be given to
inquire by what International arrangements
the commercial interests OF the United States
and Mexico could reach a better condition.
Certainly there could be no fairer PROPOSE
ton than this, nor any more effective way of
removing the prejudice and ignorance which
stand in the way Of a commercial intercourse,
which can but be OF exceeding advantage to
both people.
Mr. Zamaeona calls attention to the proofs
Of the sincerity Of the aspiration on the part
OF Mexico to Establish intimate and mutually
advantageous relations of. commerce with
this country, To this end Mexico entered in
To two treaties with the United States. In lS49
and again in 1868, far more liberal than any
that she has contracted with any other gov
eminent. The result Is that the citizens Of
no other country. ojourning there are in the
enjoyment of such efficient diplomatic pro-
lection rs those Of the United States.
TO create facilities Of intercourse, Mexico
has also subsidized, to the extent Of her re-
sources. several lines OF steamers. The only
lines OF steamships. and tho entire mail ia
cilities between the two countries. those be-
tween New York and Vera Cruz and New Or
leans and Vera Cruz, and between the ports
of the United''States and Mexico on the Pa
eifc, are due to tho gratuity Of Mexico.
These facilities are meagre and insufficient,
but they serve to illustrate the sincerity and
earnestness of Mexico in her desires and eff
forts to secure closer relations and q freer in
tercourse with this country. These facilities
should be greatly increased. but this can be
done only by the cooperation Of tho two gov
ernments. /:
The convention now in session In this city
will use all its influence to secure the active
assistance of our government In this project.
and Mr. Xamacona assures us that Mexico
will literally respond to all our overtures.
1t is greatly to be regretted that full dele
cation of Mexicans Is not In attendance on
the convention. and we must express aston
ishment that there is none. Certainly no
better opportunity has ever been offered citi-
zens of that country to meet aQd talk with
representatives Of all the great American in
dustries and interests This fact should not
deter the convention from saying to Congress
all that such a delegation could ask were there
one here to speak in the interests OF trade
with that country.
A number II large sugar Importers and re-