ment de la Reine d'Espagne qui a fait siennes, d'une manière si inconsidérée, les injustes accusations sur lesquelles ont entendu spéculer les ennemis de la liberté du Mexique.

Malgré nos dissensions intestines, le sentiment pour l'indépendance et la haîne contre les anciens dominateurs du pays se maintiennent vivants, bien que la seconde soit attenuée par l'effet des lumières et de la civilisation du siècle.

Le Citoyen Président, en arborant le drapeau de la nationalité Mexicaine, ne fait que suivre le torrent de l'opinion genérale, et a le plaisir de voir groupés autour de lui, au jour du conflit national, la plupart des Mexicains qui restaient désunis pour cause d'opinions politiques, mais qui ont abandonné les partis intestins au premier appel de la patrie.

Bien que le Gouvernement ait tout droit d'expulser du territoire de la République les Espagnols qui y résident, il n'a pas voulu le faire quant à présent, car il a confiance en ce que ces derniers, répondant à la génerosité avec laquelle on les traite, observeront la stricte neutralité que leur position leur conseille. Le Citoyen Président a donné ainsi un nouveau témoignage de la prudence avec laquelle il s'est conduit dans ses relations extérieures, en prouvant, par des faits irréfutables, qu'il n'a pas la faute si ces relations en sont venues au malheureux état dans lequel elles se trouvent actuellement.

Le Citoyen Président espère donc qu'en donnant une prompte et stricte exécution au Décret dont j'ai parlé dès le début, vous mettrez en marche, aussitôt que possible, le contingent de force armée qui vous est signalé, et que vous userez en outre de toutes les ressources que vous permet votre Gouvernement pour mettre l'Etat de votre digne commandement dans l'attitude imposante qui lui correspond, en excitant par tous les habitants du même Etat, afin qu'ils contribuent à la défense commune, et pour que, dans le cas malheureux où l'ennemi pénétrerait dans l'intérieur, tous les habitants du pays se lèvent en masse et opposent, avec leur épée et leur constance, une muraille invincible à l'audace de nos envahisseurs.

Que la mémoire d'Hidalgo, de Morelos et de Guerrero soit un example pour les Mexicains, et que la bannière qui flottera dans les rangs de notre armée, à l'heure du combat, ait pour inscription: "Vive l'Indépendance! Vive la République !"

Liberté et Réforme.

Citoyen Gouverneur de l'Etat de

MANUEL DOBLADO.

SPEECH of the President of Chile, on the Opening of the National Congress.—Santiago, June 1, 1860.

(Translation.)

FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND

THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES,

THE internal peace which we enjoy after the violent crisis which agitated the Republic during the past year, and after the lamentable. ardour with which the elements of anarchy and disorder were spread throughout the country, is a fresh and signal motive of gratitude to benignant Providence, whose benevolent protection is constantly extended to us.

Nothing has occurred to alter or disturb the good and friendly relations which we cultivate with foreign nations. If the events which all deplore had the effect of shaking for a time that credit which our prudence had obtained for us in foreign countries, the unfavourable impression passed away as soon as the complete triumph of our institutions gave an eloquent proof how deeply rooted constitutional order is in our soil.

For some time past I have considered the union of the South American States as of great importance for the common cause of their civilization and prosperity. Their combined efforts directed towards that end are the surest means of acquiring public consideration among the nations, and of bringing into action that influence which they ought to exercise on the destinies of the continent. If the attempts hitherto made to realize this idea have been in vain, it is not the less certain that such a union would satisfy the requirements of the American States. Convinced of this, I am ready to renew my efforts for it, but before doing so I shall submit to you the bases upon which according to my judgment we should act.

The difficulties to which I called your attention last year, which had arisen in carrying out the Articles of the Treaty with the Argentine Confederation, relative to the trade by the way of the Cordillera, have not as yet been entirely removed, but I trust that they will soon be overcome.

As you are aware, endeavours have been made on different occa sions to arrange in a friendly manner the differences which exist between Chile and Bolivia relating to the line of frontier on the Desert of Atacama. The precedents that have come down to us from the time of Spanish rule, and the authorities of geographers and historians, which have been brought forward on both sides. although of much weight, always leave something undetermined, ar they refer to uninhabited regions which were formerly but little known, and not regarded as offering any interest.

These considerations have induced the Government of Chile, at different times, to propose that the line of division should be

mutually arranged according to the principles of international law sanctioned in similar cases, as the means of obtaining a speedy solution and immediate results. I think that there are grounds to hope that this method will be adopted. The Bolivian Government has lately accredited a Chargé d'Affaires, who, as he states, is specially charged with the negotiation of a boundary Treaty. This would put an end to the anomalous position in which the interests of both Chile and Peru stand in that part of their territory, which cannot fail to give rise to disagreements between the Governments, and to prejudice the good feelings between the two countries.

I regret to say that the good offices with which Chile and other States endeavoured to bring about a pacific solution of the differences between Peru and the Equator have failed. Fresh exertions would not have been omitted on my part, had not the unfortunate death of the Chilian Minister in Peru, deprived the Government of an important functionary, and left it without a representative there, at a time when perhaps its voice would have been listened to in favour of that peace with which the interests of all America are so intimately connected.

The course of events and the embarrassments which at once presented themselves, relative to the appointment of a new Minister at Lima have frustrated the desires which animated me. The Peruvian Government has lately accredited a resident Minister in Chile, and I propose shortly to appoint a diplomatic agent to the Government at Lima.

The interest with which I look upon the relations which the Republic maintains with the United States of North America, and the desire which I have to preserve them on a footing of the most friendly intercourse, and to avoid anything which might tend to prejudice the good understanding, have lately impelled me to accredit a Chargé d'Affaires at Washington. For some time past various claims of individuals have been the subject of negotiations between the two Governments; some have been brought to a termination by Conventions approved by you last year, others are under discussion, and some new ones have arisen, the inevitable consequence of the influence of the unfortunate events of last year upon the inhabitants and interests established in Chile. For the adjustment of several of those claims I have considered the presence of a Minister at Washington to be necessary, because they involve circumstances which might be incorrectly appreciated unless at the time of bringing them forward the exceptional state of the country should be borne in mind, and unless there should be some well-qualified person to represent them at the proper time.

The Treaty of Friendship, Navigation and Commerce between the Republic and His Majesty the King of the Belgians, approved

by you last session, has been exchanged and ratified, and a Minister Plenipotentiary has been accredited to that Sovereign, who is to decide as arbiter on the claim pending between the Republic and The United States, regarding the Macedonian.

Prussia has recently accredited a Diplomatic Agent, and invited the negotiation of Treaties, to which invitation I have with pleasure acceded.

An Extradition Convention has been negotiated with France, and will soon be submitted to your consideration. It is the first Special Convention of the kind concluded by the Republic, and, keeping in view the principles which we profess in our foreign relations, I have deemed it advisable that the general rules which we are disposed to admit in regard to any other State should be laid down in its stipulations.

Our relations with all other States continue on the same friendly footing as formerly. Spain, whose representative had been withdrawn, has again accredited Don Salvador de Tavira as her Chargé d'Affaires.

I cannot conclude what relates to our foreign affairs without specially recommending to you the dispatch of the project of law respecting Consuls, which has been for some time pending before the Congress. The urgency of regulations for the guidance of our Consuls in foreign countries is strongly felt every day, and the want of them is not only prejudicial to the commercial interests of the country, which are well worthy of being taken into consideration, but may give rise to difficulties of another class which it is best to avoid.

When speaking to you last year regarding the complete re-establishment of legal order, I stated that it was necessary to take prudent and firm measures for extinguishing the germs of anarchy which had been scattered with such profusion throughout the country. I then foresaw the fatal effects of internal commotions and the demoralization which attends them, but I did not think I should have had to recount among them the crime, unexampled in our history, which Valparaiso witnessed on the 18th of September last. The day, the place, the circumstances of the act, the victim. chosen, all reveal the most perfect disregard, I will not say of honourable or patriotic sentiments, but even of the most ordinary respect for that which all men honour and venerate. A good servant of the country, a soldier, illustrious by his deeds in arms, was called upon to give the noble example of dying at his post, and in the discharge of his duty, thus rendering greater the contrast between the champions of constitutional order, and those who in the name of sacred principles, not only spread mourning and desolation around them, but sheltered the crime under their shadow. But this sacrifice, like all those made for duty, could not have a barren result.

It excited a just and general indignation, and made every one comprehend the magnitude of the danger to which the country had been exposed.

Another result of the late crisis has been the insecurity of the rural districts in some of the provinces. To correct this the police of several departments has been improved by means of grants from the Exchequer, or by augmenting the funds which they already had; but it has not been possible to extend them in proportion to the amount required. I consider it indispensable that a perfect and well organized rural police should be established. At present its want is supplied by very inefficient means. It is true that this will demand a heavy expenditure, and that it will be necessary to impose a special tax; but nothing can be more just, since this will give security to the persons and property of those who will have to pay it.

Another means which tends to the same end-for it is well known that the insecurity in the rural districts is only noticed after internal commotions-is the project of civil responsibility which I proposed to you last year; it represses sedition and disorder, and there is no political party which has any respect for itself, but must admit that the responsibility of such crimes should be made to fall upon those who have voluntarily incurred it.

Proceeding now to what is purely administrative, various measures have been adopted to improve the political divisions, to establish or organize towns, and to aid the efforts of the municipalities. Ancud and Valdivia, both of which, within a few months of each other, suffered the calamity of fire, have required the special attention of Government.

The postal and telegraphic services are daily improving. The first has been increased, many post-offices have been established, according to the ordinance, and the circulation of correspondence has acquired greater regularity and speed throughout the country; the visits of the director have had a beneficial influence in improving the service; latterly the accounts have been kept on a clearer and simpler system by which the defects of that formerly followed have been corrected.

I have continued to the charitable institutions that protection which they so well deserve. They are improving daily, especially those placed under the immediate direction of the Sisters of Charity and of Providence. The former have been augmented in number by persons brought to the country at the expense of Government, in order that the establishments which are now under their direc tion may be better attended to, and that they may take charge of others. The House of Providence has been extended, in order to admit a larger number of orphans. The Lunatic Asylum is in good [1861-62. LII.] 2 F