northern border, alone managing to keep alive with the help of government. Mexicans are not good colonists.[1] Later statesmen have recognized the need for emigrants to develop neglected resources and establish new industries, which should open fresh avenues for employment, and set at the same time a practical and striking example to Mexicans in methods and in manner of life, and stimulating them by success to energetic imitation. With his usual energy and foresight President Diaz began to take steps, partly for introducing settlers, but mainly to insure peace and security, and prepare wise enactments which should attract self-assisted immigrants as the most desirable class. In 1883 a new colonization law was promulgated, which facilitated the acquisition of land by gift or purchase, defined regulations, offered liberal exemptions, permitted the government to grant aid toward passage and sustenance, and for planting settlements.[2] The result has been a rapidly growing influx from the United States, Italy, and other countries.[3]
From January 12, 1878, to December 6, 1882, the principal contracts entered into were no less than nine-
- ↑ On this subject, see Hist. Mex., V., this series, and vol. vi., chapter on army reorganization.
- ↑ Free grants to foreigners should not exceed 100 hectares. Not over 2,500 hectares could be sold to one person, but payment by engineers' valuations might be extended over ten years, with exemption during that period from military service, from taxes, save municipal, from import duty on necessaries. By planting trees, further exemption could be obtained. Absence for six months forfeited free grants. Lots could be obtained by founders of new towns by building thereon. Companies might arrange for extended terms of exemption, payment, etc., and retain one third of the land granted. Disputes must be settled by Mexican tribunals alone. Private land-holders could introduce settlers. Islands, border, and coast lands were subject to nationality restrictions. The price for government lands, as fixed in 1878, varied from 6 cents the hectare in sterile Lower Cal. to $2.50 in the federal district, the average in the border states being from 12 to 18 cents, and in the settled central provinces from $1 to $2. Hamilton's Law, 148. The very common tract of one sitio de ganado mayor was a square league, 5,000 varas square, equal to 1,755 hectares, or 4,428 acres. Further rules in Hall's Mex. Laws, 98-163. For later efforts to promote immigration, and comments, Mex., Mem. Fomento, 1873-85, passim; Diar. Debates, Cong. 5, iii. 395-9; Cong. 10, i. 451-3; Derecho Intern., ii. 1173-4; Busto, Estad. Mex., ii. pt v., 365-70. An excellent writer on this and similar progress topics is Manero, in his Doc. Interes, 60-111, passim.
- ↑ Companies received a bonus of about $25 a head for desirable families.
