The Washington critic., 1886-07-02
AMERICANS IN MEXICO.
The Views of Ex-Gov. Shepherd rs
Communicated to Mr.. Morrison.

Ex. Governor Alex. r. Shepherd.
who is now at the head of the Batopilas
Silver Mining Company in chihuahua,
Mexico, has addressed the following
letter to Hon. William r. Morrison:
BAToPILAs, STATE OF CHIHUAHUA,
MEXICO, June l6, 1886.
Hon. William II. Morrison, Chairman COM
mtteo on Ways and Means, House Of
Representatives., Congress-, y. S. A., WASH
ington, ID. c.
DEAR SIR: find in the New York World
Of May 26, 1886, an abstract Of the adverse
report of the Committee Of Ways aud
Means upon the commercial treaty with
Mexico negotiated by General Grant and
now pending in Congress.
This report, coming from the principal
committee Of the Congress Of the United
States, will have great weight, and the cou-
clusions reached will do infinite harm In re-
tarding the establishment of better relations
between the two republics. AS to the i'm
portation Of sugar and tobacco, 1t would
take many years of development, with vast
expenditures OF American capital in ma
chinery and labor, before these industries
could possibly enter into competition with
the American producer, and 1t Is matter
of great doubt If the benefits derived would
NOV uOTt luuu IliU
might be done to American interests.
It is true that the present Mexican tariff
(like that Of the United States) is in many
respects oppressive and burdensome, but 1t
is also true that efforts are constantly be-
ing made by the government to adapt 1t to
the necessities OF trade, and 1t cannot be
doubted that proper spirit manifested by
the United States Government would be
met more than half way by the Govern
ment of Mexico, and permanent good re.
suit to both countries. The adoption of
the proposed treaty. whether 1t be hurtful
or beneficial to American interests, is, how
ever, a matter of argument, conjecture or
self-intercst, and these have influenced the
report OF your honorable committee.
shall not engage in any disputatiou on the
subject, but / desire to enter protest
against the concluding paragraph, which
reads as follows:
"The American citizen living in Mexico,
pursuing the peaceful ayocations OF indus
try and commerce, is without adequate
protection to person or property This
condition of things is due purely to the
fact that the local governments are wholly
independent OF and defy the power Of the
National Government, and any attempt to
enforce the provisions of treaties hereto
fore made has met with resistance. Conse-
quently, redress has in many instances
failed"
| have resided continuously in Mexico
for nearly seven years. Irepresent several
millions of American capital invested in
mining enterprises, employ large number
Of operatives (American and Mexican)
have dealings with four of the principal
custom-houses OF Mexico viz. Paso del
Norte, Nagales, Guaymas and Mazatlan
have imported large quantities Of machin
cry, supplies, Ne, &c, and have sent out
millions in bullion through and over the
Sierra Madres. In all these but one act OF
violence has been committed. A young
man was killed for the money he carried
but his three murdests were promptly ar
rested, tried aud executed by the Govern
ment. So from my experience, and a;
simple justice, say in all truth that thu
"person and property OF an American, pur
suing the peaceful avocatons of industry
and commerce." are as secure in Mexico a!
IN any part OF the United States, and have
greater protection from the Government
than did the citizens of Chicago during thC
late riots, or than have for years the unfOr
tunate people of those Territories oyel
which Geronimo and his savage band;
ravage and murder at will.
The General Government of Mexico to
day controls (as far as Is consistent with &
republican form Of goyernment) all STATE
Governments and officials, aud any wrong
| inflicted on an American citizen meets Will
| prompt and effective reparaton,
As an instance: Some time ago, at a ma
| tlonal celebration In this place, | was pres
ent with my family. One of the orator
| (under some malign innuence) during hi
| speech made u reference hostile to Ameri
| cans. | resented this 10y leaving the place
| and declining to be present at the Dime
| aud ball given on the following day. Th
committee in charge OF the celebration
| promptly sent me a letter of apology, cen
| suring in the strongest terms the oiIendc
and Withdrawing the invitation sent him Il
the entertainment.
The State and Federal authorities, OF
| hearing of this, instituted criminal proceed
ings against this person for using iRceudt
airy language and only discontinued then
at my request, the offending party hayin.
made public and ample apology.
This also shows the spirit animatlng tn
majority OF the Mexican people, as well a
| their government. Americans who rcspec
| themselves and their nationality (the Oul
| Americans entitled to rospect) can pursu
their avocatlons as safely In the cities o
sierras Of Mexico as In the heart of tn
largest cities Of our own country, and it
unjust, un-Christian, un- American toSsen
forth such unfounded conclusions from S
distinguished committee us tho one owe
which you preside.
With great respect, yours truly,
ALEX. II, SHEPHERD.
DR.. Plerce's "Petetsn-the orlgina
| ltI ittla ivar pilIau