Trade with Mexico; Correspondence Between the Manufacturers' Association of the Northwest, Chicago, and Hon. John W. Foster, Minister (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: Trusting that the foregoing facts and figures, in reference to merchandise, imports and mining, may prove of some value Jo those of my countrymen, who are seeking information as to this country as a field for American enterprise, I pass to the consideration of the third and last part of this paper. Third.?The protection afforded to persons and property in Mexico: Commerce flourishes only under the guarantees of peace and order, of stable Government and the reign of impartial law, which affords safety to the individual and recognition of the sacred rights of property. I need not impress this declaration upon the business men of Chicago, who know that these conditions are the first and essential requisites to trade and industry. It will, therefore, avail nothing how I may have answered the first two questions, as to the means of communication and trade regulations, if I can not give you favorable and satisfactory information in regard to this third point. And as it is the most important subject to be treated, so also is it the most delicate. But as you desire, as practical business men, to have facts and realities, and not theories and generalities, I must frankly give you the state of affairs, as my residence in this country has shown it to me, so far as the objects of your contemplated enterprise in opening up trade with the country is concerned. The subject of protection to persons and property, relating especially to trade and commerce, necessarily compels a reference to the revolutionary condition of the country. I will not attempt a historical sketch of the many changes of Government since the independence. Its revolutionary condition is known to the world, and lamented by all friends of Republican institutions. Its own people recognize this as its greatest evil and t...