Page:Difficulties Between Mexico and Guatemala.djvu/65

 1824. September 12th.—Chiapas, by the free vote of the majority of its inhabitants, solemnly ratified its final incorporation to Mexico, and in the first Mexican constitution was named as part and parcel of the latter republic. 1824. September 12th.—Solemn declaration that Soconusco was included in the province of Chiapas, and united with it to Mexico. 1825. January 25th.—Guatemala proposes with its troops to occupy Tapachula (Soconusco). 1832. Guatemala violates with her troops the territory of Soconusco. 1832. The Mexican Government sends to Guatemala a minister to settle the question of boundaries, but without effect. 1839. Guatemala manifests the intention to include Soconusco in one of her states. 1840. The Alcalde of Tapachula (Soconusco) asks protection from Mexico against Guatemala. 1842. Mexico occupies Soconusco with its troops, in virtue of the solicitations of its inhabitants, of the free vote cast on the 3d of May, 1824, and the declaration of the 12th of September of the same year. 1842. The Guatemalan Government, through the British consul in Guatemala, applies to the English Government for mediation. 1842. October 10th.—The English minister in Mexico, without instructions from his government, inquires of the Mexican Government whether English mediation would be favorably received, and the Government of Mexico answers that there is no need therefor, as Soconusco is clearly a part of the Mexican possessions. 1853. The Mexican Government sends another minister to Guatemala for the settlement of the question of limits, but without success, in consequence of the opposition of Guatemala. 1854. The Guatemalan Government manifests a disposition to renounce its alleged rights to Chiapas and Soconusco, but on condition that Mexico should recognize in its favor the debt of that province; which Mexico declined to do in 1875, alleging that the debt, if any, should be recognized in favor of private creditors and not of the Guatemalan nation. 1873. October 20th.—The Mexican Government declares that it can not enter into any discussion on its right to Chiapas and Soconusco.