(signed) Augustin Morales to (Countersigned) The Secretary General, PEDRO GARCIA, May 8, 1871

[Inclosure No. 1.—Translation.]

Augustin Morales, Provisional President of the Republic, invested by the people with ample faculties, considering—

1. That the equality of all persons before the law is the basis of a republic;

2. That the government cannot invade nor usurp the attributes of judicial power, which has the mission to judge and decide upon all claims of a private nature;

3. That various diplomatic agents have presented certain claims—which may be just or unjust—directly to the government, in favor of their subjects, thereby involving diplomatic discussion, without having previously invoked, on the part of those interested, the intercession of the courts and tribunals charged with the administration or justice for all citizens;

4. That such proceedings are contrary to the rules of international law;

5. That it is necessary to determine a general rule, in order that all claims of foreign subjects may be adjudicated in accordance with the laws of Bolivia and the usage of international law:

It is therefore decreed:

Article I. The government of Bolivia will not admit diplomatic reclamations, nor the interposition nor good offices (personeria) of the public agents of other nations, in questions of private interests, unless such questions have been previously submitted for adjudication to the courts and tribunals of the republic.

Article II. Only in cases of refusal or delay of justice will the government admit the intervention of foreign public agents.

Article III. The government will not admit reclamations in questions which have already been disposed of in accordance with the laws of the country, nor in cases which have been finally adjudicated, in accordance with such laws, by the tribunals.

Article IV. The government, however, will accept direct reclamations in cases permitted by international law.

The secretary general is charged with the publication of this decree, and will communicate the same to all concerned.