"Translation of the General Law of Colonization, No. 72," August 18, 1824

Summary: The President of Mexico issued a law covering the rules of colonization in Mexico. Containing 16 articles, the law covered with issues like settlement, boundaries, who got preference, what the government must do, how much land each settler could have, etc. The general tone of the law was to encourage immigration into Mexico, though with preference for Mexican citizens. Also stipulated a limit to how much land a person could own, forbade out-of-state ownership, and forbade contributions of land to religious communities.

The Sovereign General Congress, assembled for the purpose of framing the Constitution of the United Mexican States, has decreed as follows:--

ART. 1.--The Mexican Nation offers to those foreigners who may be desirous of settling in her territory security for their persons and property, provided they obey the laws of the country.

ART. 2.--This law relates to those lands, national property, which, as belonging to no individual, corporation or town, may be occupied by settlers.

ART. 3.--For this purpose the Congresses of the States shall as speedily as possible frame laws of regulations for the colonization of those lands which appertain to them, conforming in every respect with the fundamental Constitutional Act, the General Constitution, and the regulations established by this law,

ART. 4.--No lands lying within 20 leagues of the boundaries with any foreign nation, nor within 10 leagues of the coast, can be occupied by settlers, without the previous approbation of the Supreme Executive Power.

ART. 5.--If, with a view to the defence or security of the nation, the government of the federation should think fit to occupy any of the lands, in order to construct magazines, arsenals, or other public buildings, it is empowered so to do, with the approbation of the general Congress, and during its recess with that of the Council of Government.

ART. 6.--Until 4 years from the publication of this law, no impost shall be levied for the admission of those foreigners who may come for the first time, in order to settle in the nation.

ART. 7.--Until the year 1840 the general Congress shall not prohibit the admission of foreigners to colonize, excepting, indeed, circumstances should imperiously oblige it so to do, with regard to the individuals of any nation.

ART. 8.--The Government, without defeating the purposes of this law, shall take those measures of precaution which it may deem expedient for the security of the federation, with regard to those foreigners who may come to colonise.

ART. 9.--In the distribution of lands a preference is to be given to Mexican citizens, and between them no other distinction shall be made

than that to which individual merit, or services rendered to the country, may justify, or, where in other cases a parity exists, residence in the part to which the lands appertain.

ART. 10.--Those military men who, agreeable to the offer of the 27th March, 1821, have a right to lands, shall be recompensed on presenting the documents with which the Supreme Executive Power shall for that purpose provide them.

ART. 11.--If, according to decrees for paying off the principal according to a calculation of the probability of the length of life of the incumbent, the Supreme Executive Power should think proper to alienate any portions of land in favour of any public servants of the federation, military or civil, it is impowered so to do, with the government lands of the territories of the Republic.

ART. 12.--In the possession of no individual shall be allowed to be united, as his own property, more than one square league of 5000 yards of lands fit for irrigation, 4 of arable land not irrigated, and 6 of pasture land.

ART. 13.--The new settlers are not permitted to transfer their property to religious communities.

ART. 14.--This law guarantees the contracts which speculators may make with those families which they may convey at their own expense, provided they are not contrary to the laws.

ART. 15.--No one who in virtue of this law obtains possession of lands, can hold them if settled out of the territory, of the Republic.

ART. 16.--The government agreeably to the principles established in this law shall proceed to colonise the territories of the Republic.

The Supreme Executive Power is hereby made acquainted with this law, and will take the requisite measures for its fulfilment, directing that it be printed, published, and circulated.--MEXICO, 18th Aug. 1824.

(Signed) C. IBARRA,

President, Etc., Etc., Etc.

PEDRO DE AHUMADA,

MANUEL DE VILLA Y CRIO,

Deputies Secretaries.

TO DON LUCAS ALAMAN,

Directed to be published by the EXECUTIVE

POWER, in Mexico, 18th Aug. 1824.

(Signed) N. BRAVO,

President, Etc., Etc., Etc.

VICTE. GUERRERO.

MIGL. DOMINGUEZ.

And published on the same day.

(Signed) ALAMAN.

Source Copy Consulted: "Translation of the General Law of Colonization, No. 72," August 18, 1824, reprinted in H.P.H Gammel, The Laws of Texas, 1822-1897, 12 vols., (Austin: Gammel Book Co., 1898), 1:97-98. http://texinfo.library.unt.edu/lawsoftexas