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134 The priests still threaten to excommunicate peons who work on buildings or farms owned by the Protestants. Since 1870 the Liberal Government has favored the establishment of Protestant churches throughout the country. During the administration of President Juarez a fine parish church was presented to the Protestants in the national capital. Their missions have since been founded in the cities of Puebla, Cuernavaca, Zacatecas, and Monterey.

As recently as December, 1882, a collision took place between the Roman Catholics and Protestants at Zacatecas. The former attempted to demolish a chapel which was owned by the latter, when the military came to the rescue and dispersed the rioters with bloodshed. The State governments are generally disposed to protect the Protestants, and accordingly offer convict-labor to complete their houses of worship, when the peons can not be employed. In Chihuahua the Americans now attend divine service at the residence of the pastor, the Rev. Mr. Eaton.

N. B.—Foreigners, intending to engage in either mining or farming in Mexico, are strongly advised to conciliate the padre, as he is usually the most influential person in small towns and villages. Considering the influence of the clergy on the lower classes, discourteous treatment of the priest may result in the refusal of the peons to work for the offending individual.

Roman law prevails in Mexico, and a code, based upon the Code Napoléon, has been adopted.

There is a written Constitution and a system of statutes