bring into effect the many elements with which the Republic abounds, using the faculties bestowed upon me by the seventh of the bases adopted in this city, and sanctioned by the nation, I have thought proper to decree, as follows:

ARTICLE 1. The importation of the following articles into the Republic is prohibited, under pain of confiscation:

Coaches, gigs, and every sort of foreign carriages; saddles and harness; hats, finished and in felt; furniture of all sorts; forte pianos; dolls and toys of all kinds; all articles of gold, silver, and plated or gilded copper, in the following list, viz: wire of all kinds; holy-water pots; table ornaments; jars, urns, pitchers, barbers' basins, sugar dishes; rods for images; waiters; gold chains; candlesticks; buttons, bracelets, armlets, broaches, and clasps; chains; coffee pots; bells; communion cups; candelabras; cartridge boxes, powder boxes or flasks; hat buckles; cigar cases; ribbons; church and table candlesticks: cups of all sorts; saucers; spoons, large and small; knives; custodias; thimbles; snuffers; diadems; relics; spit boxes; fruit baskets; fountains; gorgets; mountings for arms; saddles, harness, &c.; torch stands; buckles; sacred boxes; censers; soap dishes; jugs, large and small; coffee services; lamps; watch keys; chocolate stands; picture frames; medals, large and small; incense holders; wafer holders; basins of various sorts; shovels; small candlesticks; chalice covers; pitchers; small dishes; dishes; plates; oil vessels; fish hooks; offerings; bandeaus; ornamental keys; cane heads; reflectors; bouquet holders; articles for presents; relic holders; salt cellars; sand boxes; salvers; terrines; rings; smoking tongs; trenchers; vinagrettes; altar cloths; manufactures of iron and steel, as follows: rings; spurs; straps; sheep bells; bars for doors or windows; small knockers; large knockers; awls; pincers; staples; key rings; curtain rings; handsaws; hoops; anvils; adzes; shovels; scales; augers; boring bits; bits for horses; chafing ditches; brushes; buvins; iron chains and collars for dogs; kettles; bedsteads; baskets; padlocks; kitchen lamps; chest plates; pullies; cots; sauce pans; smoothing planes; chisels; traps; locks; chocolate pots; nails; iron compasses; scabbard plates; nail cutters; knives; strings for musical instruments; thimbles; screw drivers; lathes; mortise chisels; scrutoires; steels for tinder boxes; spurs; stirrups; stoves; pivots; moulds for pastry; curbs; brands; hooks; dentists' instruments; jack planes; cramp irons; hinges; axes; hatchets; buckles, and other iron articles for horse furniture; iron worked for balconies, railings, &c.; wire; amulets; scythes; Dutch ovens ; files; locks for guns or pistols; felloes for wheels; spits; hammers; moulds; springs for doors and for coaches; pots; chain shot; fire shovels; small candlesticks; gridirons; bolts; hair rings; pestles; weights; spikes; pullies; sword hilts; harrows; rakes; window grating; steelyards; corkscrews; saws; gimlets; cups; curling tongs; chimney tongs; shoemakers' pincers; founders' tongs; trusses; screws; spinning wheels; trenchers; large hinges; all articles made of tin and zinc.

ARTICLE 2. The prohibition set forth in the preceding article shall begin to have effect four months from the date of the publication of this decree in the capital of the Republic, with regard to all articles entering the ports of the Mexican Gulf; and at the end of six months, for the ports of the South sea, the Gulf of California, and the seaports of Upper California.

ARTICLE 3. The articles now on hand, which could never have been legally introduced into the Republic, shall be disposed of or reshipped within six months; after which time, all those found in the shops or stores shall

be confiscated, their amount being distributed to the informers and the seizors, according to the tariff of confiscations; besides which, the holders of those articles may be subjected to a fine of from ten to three hundred dollars, to be applied to the public treasury, in the terms set forth by the laws.

ARTICLE 4. The space of one year is allowed for the consumption or reembarkation of the articles on hand, the importation of which is prohibited by this decree; and, at the end of that time, proceedings of the same nature, as detailed in the next foregoing article, will be adopted with regard to

them.

ARTICLE 5. All agents or officers of the maritime custom-houses, through which it may be proved that any of the above-enumerated articles have been introduced, shall be dismissed from their employment.

Wherefore, I order that it be printed, published, circulated, and enforced. ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA.

IGNACIO TRIGUEROS, Secretary of the Treasury.

NATIONAL PALACE AT TACUBAYA, August 14, 1843.

General Almonte to Mr. Upshur.

[TRANSLATION.]

MEXICAN LEGATION, Washington, November 3, 1843.

The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the Mexican Republic, has the honor, by express order from his Government, to address the honorable A. P. Upshur, Secretary of State of the United States, for the purpose of making known to him, so that he may be pleased to communicate it to his Excellency the President, that the Mexican Government has well-grounded reasons to believe that, in the approaching session of the General Congress of the United States, the question as to the annexation of a part of its territory to that of the United States will be discussed; and that such a measure, if carried into effect, cannot be considered by Mexico in any other aspect than as a direct aggression.

From what has been said, the Secretary of State will have seen that reference is here made to the department of Texas, an integrant part of the Mexican Republic; and the undersigned would consider himself as questioning the understanding of the Secretary of State, if he should proceed to demonstrate the rights of his Governinent to the above-mentioned department. For the same reason, he will confine himself simply to reminding the Secretary of State of the existence of a treaty by which the United States of America acknowledged the sovereignty of Mexico over the said territory; and although subsequently Texas, in consequence of a revolution, excited, as every one knows, by citizens who emigrated from this country, proclaimed its independence, and this independence was unexpectedly acknowledged by the United States of America, the Government of the undersigned immediately protested against such recognition, and declared that it would not, in any way, affect the rights of Mexico.

Thus the undersigned, in consideration of the reasons above exposed, and relying on the good judgment and enlightened patriotism of the next General Congress of the Union, not less than on the integrity of the worthy Magistrate who now presides over the destinies of this Republic, trusts that, for the sake of justice and of the friendly relations of two adjoining nations, which have so long existed in peace, the design above indicated will not be carried into effect, but will rather be regarded with indignation by the legislative body. But if, contrary to the hopes and wishes entertained by the Government of the undersigned, for the preservation of the good understanding and harmony which should reign between the two neighboring and friendly Republics, the United States should, in defiance of good faith and of the principles of justice which they have constantly proclaimed, commit the unheard-of act of violence (inaudito atentadothe expression is much stronger than the translation) of appropriating to themselves an integrant part of the Mexican territory, the undersigned, in the name of his nation, and now for them, protests, in the most solemn manner, against such an aggression; and he moreover declares, by express order of his Government, that, on sanction being given by the Executive of the Union to the incorporation of Texas into the United States, he will consider his mission ended, seeing that, as the Secretary of State will have learned, the Mexican Government is resolved to declare war so soon as it receives information of such an act.

The undersigned flatters himself, nevertheless, with the idea that the circumstances which have occasioned this note will disappear completely, and that the Government of the honorable Secretary of State of the United States of America will employ, at the proper times, all the means in its power to frustrate the said plan, thus saving its own good name, and displaying prominently the principles which ought to characterize a Government, free, enlightened, and just in its political transactions. The undersigned repeats to the Secretary, &c.

Hon. A. P. UPSHUR,

J. N. ALMONTE.

Secretary of State of the United States of America.

Mr. Upshur to General Almonte.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, November 6, 1843. The undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States, has the honor to invite the attention of General Almonte, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the Mexican Republic, to a translation of an alleged decree of the Mexican Government, which is published in the National Intelligencer of this morning, closing certain frontier custom-houses of that Republic, and to inquire whether the decree referred to is authentic, and whether it has been officially or otherwise communicated to General Almonte.

The undersigned has also been informed that the Mexican Government has recently issued another decree or decrees, prohibiting foreigners from engaging in the retail trade in that Republic, and confining them to a resi

dence within a certain distance of the coast. The undersigned will thank General Almonte for any information or explanations which it may be in his power to furnish relative to these proceedings.

The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to offer General Almonte renewed assurances of his high consideration.

Brigadier General Don J. N. ALMONTE, &c.

A. P. UPSHUR.

[From the National Intelligencer of November 6, 1843.]

MEXICO-MINISTRY OF FINANCE.

His Excellency the Provisional President of the Republic has rendered the following decree :

“ANTONIO Lopez de Santa Anna.

"ARTICLE 1. Are closed without restriction to all exterior commerce the frontier custom-houses of Taos, in the department of New Mexico, at the Paso del Norte, as well as at the Presidio del Norte, in the department of Chihuahua.

"ARTICLE 2. This declaration shall have effect forty-five days after its publication in the capital. In consequence, &c.

“ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA.

"IGNACIO TRIGUEROS, Minister of Finance.

"NATIONAL PALACE OF TACUBAYA, August 7, 1843."

General Almonte to Mr. Upshur.

TRANSLATION.

MEXICAN LEGATION, Washington, November 7, 1843.

The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the Mexican Republic, had the honor to receive the note addressed to him yesterday by the honorable Abel P. Upshur, Secretary of State of the United States of America, relative to certain decrees which the Government of Mexico has recently issued, closing against foreign commerce the frontier custom-houses of Taos, in New Mexico, and of Paso del Norte and Presidio del Norte, in the department of Chihuahua; and asking whether it were certain that another decree had been issued, prohibiting foreigners from engaging in retail trade, and giving them notice that they must reside at a certain distance from the coasts of the Republic.

The undersigned has the honor, in answer, to inform the honorable Mr. A. P. Upshur, Secretary of State, that, although his Government has not transmitted the said decrees to him directly, yet he has seen them published in the official newspaper of Mexico, and he has no doubt of their authenticity.

As to the notice which is said to have been given to foreigners, that they

should reside only at a certain distance from the coast, the undersigned is entirely ignorant that his Government has issued any orders whatsoever on the subject, and he does not fear to assert that the statement to that effect is entirely without probability.

The undersigned, in order that the honorable Secretary of State may fully understand the matter, has the honor to enclose to him a copy of each of the decrees above mentioned, and to assure him that he will without delay communicate to him any other document on the subject which he may receive from his Government.

The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to repeat to the honorable Mr. A. P. Upshur, Secretary of State, the assurances of his distinguished consideration.

Hon. A. P. UPSHUR, Secretary of State.

J. N. ALMONTE.

Mr. Upshur to General Almonte.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 8, 1843.

The undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter which General Almonte, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the Mexican Republic, did him the honor to address to him on the 3d instant.

General Almonte informs the undersigned that he has it in express order from his Government to make known to the undersigned, so that it may be communicated to the President, that the Mexican Government has wellgrounded reasons to believe that, in the approaching session of the General Congress of the United States, the question as to the annexation of a part of its territory to the United States will be discussed; and that such a measure, if carried into effect, cannot be considered by Mexico in any other aspect than as a direct aggression. General Almonte further informs the undersigned, by express order of his Government, that, on sanction being given by the Executive of the Union to the incorporation of Texas into the United States, he will consider his mission ended, seeing that the Mexican Government is resolved to declare war so soon as it receives information of such an act. General Almonte is pleased to conclude his communication with the expression of a hope that this Government will employ, at the proper time, all the means in its power to frustrate the said plan, thus saving its own good name, and displaying prominently the principles which ought to characterize a Government, free, enlightened, and just, in its political transactions.

As General Almonte has made no inquiry of the undersigned as to the facts upon which his letter is founded, it is presumed that the Mexican Government is entirely satisfied with the information it has already received, particularly as that information has been deemed sufficient to justify the imputation of designs, on the part of a branch of this Government, which are characterized as highly unworthy, and which General Almonte has thought fit to denounce in terms quite as strong as diplomatic courtesy will allow. The undersigned, therefore, does not feel that he is called on