Page:Difficulties Between Mexico and Guatemala.djvu/22

 of the present note, the following points have been demonstrated: First. Chiapas was a province similar to the others which formed the captaincy-general of Guatemala. Second. Chiapas, on the 3d day of September, 1821, freely separated from Guatemala and united with Mexico. Third. Chiapas, on the 12th day of September, 1824, again joined the United States of Mexico by the free choice of a majority of her inhabitants (it having been previously shown that the voting took place without the presence of Mexican forces in any part of the State, and that there was a large majority in favor of Mexico). Fourth. Soconusco, in 1821, was a partido of the Intendency of Chiapas, and as such united with the Mexican Empire. Fifth. Soconusco, in 1821, voted freely in favor of union with Mexico on the 3d day of May. Sixth. The Act drawn up at Tapachula on the 24th day of July, 1824, was a revolutionary and illegal procedure. Seventh. Central America recognized the Supreme Junta of Chiapas, and agreed to respect its decision," etc. Without copying the entire summary, the preceding will convince the reader that the Mexican Government has never based its original rights to Chiapas and Soconusco upon conquest.

As to recent events, the points of complaint against Mexico presented by the Government of Guatemala to the Government of the United States are four in number: First. That the diplomatic efforts made to reach a settlement with Mexico have been fruitless.

Second. That there exists a preliminary and partial agreement for the purpose of ascertaining what are the true limits; and that the Guatemalan commissions of exploration sent to survey the region in order to