Nelson to J. H. Oglesby, February 10, 1873

No. 281. Mr. Nelson to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a printed copy of a letter addressed by me to the president of the Chamber of Commerce of New Orleans, in reply to a communication requesting my views as to the best mode of establishing and maintaining trade and commercial relations between the United States and Mexico. (A.)

I also inclose a copy of an editorial article from the Diario Oficial. (B.)

I have, &c.,

Extract from the Diario Oficial, Mexico, February 8, 1873.

hon. t. h. nelson, minister of the united states in mexico.

Our intelligent colleague, the Trait d’ Union has given us the satisfaction of a perusal of the letter written by Mr. Nelson to Mr. J. H. Oglesby, president of the chamber of commerce in New Orleans; it is a document of vast importance, which reveals on a grand scale, without forgetting for a moment historical exactness, the origin of past revolutions in Mexico, its political and social conquests up to the promulgation of the fundamental code of 1857, and of the laws of reform, a condensation of the progressive aspirations of the Mexican people against the tendencies of a past which it was no longer possible to accept.

Notable indeed are the impartiality and the observing and philosophic spirit which Mr. Nelson gives to the past and present situation of Mexico, in order to make this country known in his own, where so many prejudices have existed and exist against us, thanks to that unreflecting spirit which neither meditates nor analyzes. To the partisans of this school it is that Mr. Nelson addresses himself, with all the authority of his word inspired in the philosophy of history, in the practical knowledge acquired during his stay in the country, and in that elevation of ideas which should distinguish the politician and the statesman in order to judge a people and their institutions. These qualities shine forth in Mr. Nelson’s letter, and should increase the gratitude of the Mexicans, who are so frequently misjudged and worse understood abroad.

But there is more still. Mr. Nelson, in examining the future of Mexico by means of that regeneration which must be effected by railways, takes pleasure in indicating that vast horizon which he discerns for our agricultural productions and all our other products, the day when steam shall place us in contact with American markets.

All the advantages to-day enjoyed by the markets of Cuba and Brazil, says Mr Nelson, will be Mexico’s, whose fertility and abundance of products will suffice to satisfy the necessities of the whole world.

The philanthropic abolitionist proposes to his fellow-citizens, on this account, an idea worthy of being thought over by the American people. “Free labor,” says Mr. Nelson, “must be preferred to obligatory labor. And we,” he proceeds, “who have liberated millions of slaves, thus purifying our institutions and erasing that blot which stained them, must carry out this humane principle in all its parts.” The consequences of this theory would favor the products of free labor in Mexico and the South American republics which have abolished slavery. If, as is to be expected, the idea of Mr. Nelson prevails upon the intelligence of the American people, it would be difficult to find a more formidable weapon with which to destroy in America that human traffic which is condemned by the conscience of the civilized world.

That our readers may become acquainted with Mr. Nelson’s letter, we commence publishing it to-day, taking it from our colleague, the Federalista, whose proverbial activity has saved us the agreeable task of its translation.