In consequence of the necessity which exists, for filling up the -oid left by the Law of the 29th December of last Year, respecting he Local Militia, and as the regulations for organizing that of the District and Territories have not been issued, the Government recommend the immediate consideration of this subject.

It is no less urgent, that the political and financial Administration of he District and Territories be organized. The Spanish Laws which, From the want of others, are still in operation, besides being extremely defective, are not applicable to our circumstances.

Various proposals have been submitted to the Chambers by the Government, for the more complete regulation of the Army and Navy. During political convulsions, the Army becomes disjointed and disorganized. The present state of the Army demands the particular attention of Congress.

Commence, Citizens, your laborious, difficult, and complicated task;-consolidate our Institutious;-strengthen the public force ;rectify public opinion. Let the Country owe its existence to you. The Government will be, as ever, faithful to its promises. In the intimate union and co-operation of the Supreme Powers of the State consist the prosperity of the Republic. I have spoken. GUADALUPE VICTORIA.

SPEECH of the President, on the Closing of the Congress of Mexico-23d May, 1829.

Deputies and Senators of the GENERAL CONGRESS,

(Translation.)

IN conformity with the Provisions of the Federal Code, I present myself before the Legislative Power of the Union, to fulfil the august duty of Closing the Ordinary Session of the Third Constitutional Congress. The shock which the Nation experienced during the last months of the past Year did not promise so speedy a termination; because it was occasioned by principles which deeply interest the public. But a laudable desire for peace, and for correcting the evils which inevitably result from internal agitation, and the efficacious proceedings of the Congress and Government of the States, have entirely reestablished tranquillity, restored confidence, and given an impetus to Commerce, which had been paralyzed by the late events.

This salutary tendency to good has been of so extensive a nature, that the Government enjoys the highest satisfaction in not having found itself placed under the bitter necessity of adopting measures for suppressing disorders of any description, as it has invariably confided in the generous sentiments of the great Nation over which it presides. The disagreeable occurrences in the State of Vera Cruz, occasioned by the installation of the former Legislature were happily terminated

by the Decree of the General Congress of the 12th of February lan and by the revival of that Assembly in the persons of its leg Representatives. The resolutions respecting the legality of the Etions of Oajaca, are still before the Chambers, to which the Gover ment has transmitted the necessary information.

The necessary measures for the fulfilment of the Decree of the l of March last, respecting the encouragement of vaccination, have be adopted, with the solicitude which humanity demands; and with tr object of arresting the progress of the small pox which had appe in different parts of the Federation. Certain orders which were iss for this purpose have had the good effect of checking that desolatze epidemic disease.

The Decree of the 11th March, suspending the salaries of Ministers and Employés to the American Assembly, has been du executed.

For the better execution of the Law of 20th March, relative to the expulsion of the Spaniards, the Government have adopted furthe regulations; they have, moreover, taken all the measures which they deemed necessary for facilitating the operation, and have placed thenselves in communication with the Governors of the States; and I ca assure you, that it has been, in a great measure executed, and will entirely so, so soon as the Congress shall decide upon the questions which have been submitted to it, in respect of that Law.

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Effect has been given to the Decrees of the 28th of January 13th and 18th of February, 12th of March, and 29th of April, as to that which abrogated the Decree of the 17th September preceding: by which a number of worthy defenders of their Country have bee restored to the full enjoyment of their rights as Mexican Citizens This measure will always bear evidence to the honour of the authors of it.

Our Foreign Relations continue to inspire the Executive Power of the Union with the most flattering hopes. Foreign Nations, anxious for the improvement of their industry and commerce, and desiring new channels for the circulation of their capital, urge the wishes for universal prosperity of their respective Governments, which are evidently desirous of promoting the views of their people.

Within a short time, therefore, the international Relations between the American Republics and European Nations will have sanctioned the general principle of a friendly intercourse between all civilized Countries.

Our Relations with the United States of the North continue upon the most friendly footing. In order that no delay may occur in the exchange of the Ratifications of the Treaty of Limits, concluded with that Government, our Chargé d'Affaires at Washington has been duly authorized to effect it. The Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navi

gation, concluded by the Plenipotentiaries of the Two Republics, is now before the Senate, and the termination of this affair becomes, in the opinion of the Government, every day more urgent, as, without it, the Relations between the 2 Countries cannot be definitively regulated.

Although the Minister Plenipotentiary from Colombia has been withdrawn, and no Person, charged with the political interests of that Republic, remains in Mexico, the friendly Relations between 2 Coun ries, connected by every tie, have not suffered any alteration.

The Mexican Government has observed, with the solicitude that characterizes its policy, which is essentially American, the occasional nisunderstandings which have arisen between Colombia and Peru, and it flatters itself that they will terminate in a speedy and lasting reconciliation.

The Government has offered its friendly offices to the contending Parties in Central America, and it has now the satisfaction to announce, that, according to the latest intelligence received, an end has been put to a discord so disastrous to that Republic.

The Relations between Mexico and the Central States continue unInterrupted, and the Executive Government has transmitted to the Chamber of Representatives the necessary project of a Law for appointing a Mission to the above-mentioned Republic, which it believes to be of the highest importance.

Our Relations with the other Parts of America have been sufficiently established, and the Government requires, in order to give them effect, that the Legislative Power should definitively decide upon the regulations respecting Foreign Missions.

Our Diplomatic Relations in Europe continue in the most satisfactory state. A Chargé d'Affaires is accredited to the Government of His Britannic Majesty, and that Government maintains an Agent of equal rank at Mexico.

The Treaty concluded with His Majesty the King of The Netherlands, and which has been ratified by that Government, has fixed, in a permanent manner, our Relations with that Country. The Chargé d'Affaires of the Republic continues there in the exercise of his functions, whilst an Agent from thence, of the same rank, remains here. The Negotiations with Hanover and Denmark have been considerably advanced, and our Relations with those Governments will very shortly be established on a permanent basis.

Our good understanding with France continues unaltered. The Government has issued the necessary Exequatur for the Commission of the Vice-Consul named for Vera Cruz by His Most Christian Majesty. The same form has been observed with respect to the Commission granted by that Sovereign to the Vice-Consul residing at Mexico, and a Consul-General from that Nation has recently arrived.

The Hanse-Towns are disposed to draw closer the bonds of friendly [1828-29.]

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intercourse with the United States of Mexico, as appears by the Treaty now before the General Congress, the resolution with regard to which is important.

The Government is very desirous of forming the closest Relations with the Apostolic See, for the purpose of remedying the defects which exist in the Mexican Church, more especially since the loss which it has sustained by the recent death of the last of its Pastors.

The Government deplores the death of Leo XII. That respectable Chief of the Universal Church was always ready to attend to the applications of the American Republics for the appointment of their Bishops.

Colombia will corroborate what I have the satisfaction to state upon this subject to this Sovereign Assembly.

In the mean time, the necessary explanations respecting the Instructions dictated by Congress, have been forwarded to our Envoy at the Holy See, with positive orders to proceed to Rome, and to commence Negotiations immediately, by assuming the public Character which may be best suited to the present circumstances; for which purpose he has been furnished with the necessary Credentials and Documents, and orders have been given for placing at his disposal the surs which have been thought sufficient.

The Decree of the General Congress, for filling up the vacant Benefices, shall be published, in compliance with the wish of the Clergy and of the Mexican People, who are anxious to see their Pastors permanently appointed.

With regard to the Missions, the Government is employed in taking the necessary measures, in order to their better establishment and efciency, and that the Spanish Clergymen now employed in them may be replaced by Americans.

Several Decrees relating to the Department of Justice have been issued, limited exclusively to the granting to various Individuals dispensations from Statute Laws. The project of a Law, proposed by the Minister of that Department for the organization of the Federal Tribunals, is still before the Chambers, as also that which relates to the Administration of Justice in the District and Territories.

The want of these reforms is every day more felt, and the Goverment has recommended their immediate completion, in order that the dispatch of business may thereby be facilitated.

In the Finance Department, which is of such interest and impor tance to the welfare of Society, they are constantly employed in the formation of a plan for its regulation.

The 4 Laws decreed by the Chambers within the last 3 days, relative to the important branch of Finance, shall be published. The first, prohibiting the importation into the Republic of various goods and manufactures, because called for by the manufacturing industry of this Country, which is at present in a state of the greatest depression;

he second, levying contributions on Incomes and Trading Licences; the third, putting an end to the monopoly of Tobacco, so often called for by the friends of Federal Institutions; and the fourth, imposing a Tax of 5 per cent. on the incomes of Persons who, having resided more than 10 years in Foreign Countries, neither contribute to the consumption of the produce of their native Land, nor render it those services which are afforded by those who live at home.

The Executive Government with satisfaction assures you, that the Fruit of the labours of our Legislators will prove a fresh guarantee or the stability of our principles. The Government flatters itself that at no former period has it been possible to present a more agreeable picture of so important a subject. To effect the desired object, it reckons upon the indispensable co-operation of this Supreme Assembly, and upon the tried patriotism of all Mexicans.

After so many sacrifices, and crowned with so much glory, the Nation finds itself under the necessity of reorganizing its Finances, in order to place them in a condition to avoid the inconveniences of an imperfect and inefficient system; and, as the means of our strength, and power of resistance against foreign invasion, depend in a great measure upon the regulations of the Public Treasury, we cannot be allowed to disregard this important branch of the National safety. The Army in general, demands, in preference to all other subjects, the serious consideration of the Legislative Power. The Government has directed its attention to its better organization, considering it as the bulwark and support of our Independence and Federal Institutions; but the happy results desired by the Government can only be obtained by its receiving timely assistance. Numerous questions, connected with this important branch, have yet to be determined, and an early and final decision of them is indispensable.

A Junta of General Officers is constantly occupied in drawing up the most suitable measures for its complete regulation. The result of their labours will be submitted to the consideration of the Legislative Power.

The Navy also requires the adoption of effectual measures to rescue it from the state to which it is at present reduced, owing to the manner of its original formation.

A Spanish Expedition against the Territories of this Republic is announced as certain. The Executive Government does not doubt that the feeble Government of Madrid still persists in this delirium, which, if carried into effect, will only prove the weakness of that Cabinet. which is as tenacious of its pride as it is impotent in its resources.

All the States are hastening to organize their National Militia, and in any event the Federation will be enabled to rely upon a numerous disposable Army, for its defence, and for annihilating the rash men who may have the audacity to pollute our shores.