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ADMINISTRATION OF DIAZ.

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to allow United States troops to cross the boundary line. The executive laid the matter before congress, which finally expressed its willingness to grant the concession under certain conditions. The result was, that on the 29th of July, 1882, a convention was signed, by which it was agreed that the federal troops of both republics might reciprocally cross the frontier in pursuit of savage Indians.^[1] On July 29th of the following year a treaty was entered into, by which it was agreed that each nation should appoint a surveying party, to form when combined an International Boundary Commission. The duty of this commission was to mark out afresh the dividing line, which, owing to the destruction of monuments, was giving rise to difficulties.^[2]

On the 1st of November, 1877, congress approved the non-reëlection law, and on May 5th of the following year a congressional decree amending the federal constitution to that effect was published.^[3] Nevertheless, as the elections drew near, several of the states, especially Morelos, proposed that Diaz should again be eligible to the presidency, provided that he obtained

↑ The districts into which the pursuit could be conducted were defined as unpopulated or desert, having no points within two leagues of an encampment or town. The pursuing party was to give the earliest possible notice of the invasion to the authorities of the territory invaded, and immediately to retire as soon as it had effected its purpose, or had lost the enemy's trail. Provisions were also made to meet cases of outrage committed by the troops of either nation. Copy of the convention will be found in Diario Ofic., Aug. 25, 1882, and La Voz de Méj., Aug. 27, 1882.
↑ Reconnoissance parties were to be first sent out and report the condition of the existing boundary monuments; the number of those destroyed or displaced; the places settled or capable of settlement, where it might be advisable to set monuments closer together on the line; and the character of the new monuments required, whether of stone or iron, and their approximate number in each case. The two governments agreed that the convention should be regarded as continuing in force until the conclusion of the work, provided that the time did not exceed four years and four months from the date of the exchange of ratifications. The ratifications were exchanged in Washington, March 3, 1883. Mex., Boundary Line Treaty with U.S.
↑ The amendment also provided that the governors of states could not be reëlected. No president or governor could be eligible till after a lapse of four years from the cessation of his functions. La Voz de Méj., Nov. 3, 1877, May 8, 1878; Diario Debates, 8° Cong., iii. 112-232; Diario Ofic., May 7, 1878.

[1] The districts into which the pursuit could be conducted were defined as unpopulated or desert, having no points within two leagues of an encampment or town. The pursuing party was to give the earliest possible notice of the invasion to the authorities of the territory invaded, and immediately to retire as soon as it had effected its purpose, or had lost the enemy's trail. Provisions were also made to meet cases of outrage committed by the troops of either nation. Copy of the convention will be found in Diario Ofic., Aug. 25, 1882, and La Voz de Méj., Aug. 27, 1882.

[2] Reconnoissance parties were to be first sent out and report the condition of the existing boundary monuments; the number of those destroyed or displaced; the places settled or capable of settlement, where it might be advisable to set monuments closer together on the line; and the character of the new monuments required, whether of stone or iron, and their approximate number in each case. The two governments agreed that the convention should be regarded as continuing in force until the conclusion of the work, provided that the time did not exceed four years and four months from the date of the exchange of ratifications. The ratifications were exchanged in Washington, March 3, 1883. Mex., Boundary Line Treaty with U.S.

[3] The amendment also provided that the governors of states could not be reëlected. No president or governor could be eligible till after a lapse of four years from the cessation of his functions. La Voz de Méj., Nov. 3, 1877, May 8, 1878; Diario Debates, 8° Cong., iii. 112-232; Diario Ofic., May 7, 1878.

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