Page:A Life of Matthew Fontaine Maury.pdf/248

234 "Article 8. Immigrants are exempted from military service for five years. But they will form a stationary militia for the purpose of protecting their property and neighbourhoods.

"Article 9. Liberty in the exercise of their respective forms of religious worship is secured to immigrants by the organic law of the Empire.

"Article 10. Each of our ministers is charged with carrying out such parts of this Decree as relate to his department.

"Given at Chapultepec on the 5th day of September, 1865.

""

Commander Maury, the Imperial Commissioner of Immigration, prepared the following memorandum to be published with the Decree:—

"The Government not only invites all well-disposed persons to come and assist in the occupation of its vacant lands, but His Majesty the Emperor, touched by the spectacle of good men struggling with adversity in other lands, tenders hospitality and homes especially to these.

"Moved by the generous impulses of his nature, he offers them material assistance to enable them to reach this beautiful land. To those of them who wish to change their skies, make Mexico their homes, and identify themselves with the country, a free passage by sea for their families and effects is offered.

"To those who have lost all their substance, is offered, not only a free passage by sea, but a travelling allowance of a real the league thence to their new homes will be made for each member of these families, counting as members also their apprentices or labourers.

"Agents for immigration will be stationed at convenient points abroad for the purpose of affording information to the immigrants there as to the country, its lands, the best way