ABSTRACT

In Mexico, the practice of petitioning dates back to the colonial period. The following documents are petitions and letters directed to the president of the Republic, sent at different times and from different locations throughout the country. Each letter suggests the range of means by which Mexicans interacted with the federal government and illustrates the sorts of issues that emerged at the regional level in the aftermath of the Revolution. We might ask questions about the genre of letters to the president as well as regarding the specific content of these letters. What insight do these letters provide into what people hoped to gain from writing to the federal government during this period? With regard to content, how might we think of the Revolution as providing an opening for such petitions? How do racial tensions manifest themselves in these letters, and how might we explain the nature of such tensions in Mexico at this time? What do the letters reveal about unintended consequences of the Revolution?

Telegram (1922)

Telegram. Hermosillo, Sonora, June 27, 1922.

President of the Republic.—

Since the 12th of this month, by order of the Governor, nationals who are members of the society I represent, and many others who do not pertain to any organization, all businessmen, farmers, and peaceful workers have been detained in the jail of this city and in other places. This has been done without their being notified of the reason for their detention and without their being allowed to defend themselves. All possible means have been exhausted, with no success in getting the Governor to concede to those detained any of the guarantees usually granted to the most hardened criminals. I respectfully beg that you order the Most Honorable Governor to allow the incarcerated compatriots to defend themselves, so that if they are culpable, they be justifiably punished. Those of this society and those who are neutral that have been detained number one hundred and thirty-six, and businesses and families are abandoned and suffering to the point of breaking, without reason. And, according to news circulating around here they are trying to expel the detained without trial. I implore you Mister President in the name of humanity and justice for my com-patriots. Interim President Chee Kung Fong. Juan Lin Fu.

321 Telegram (1924)

Mexican Telegraphic Company

March 1 1924

To His Excellency President Obregón, México

The Chinese residents of Sonora complain of the losses and privations they will suffer if the new law is enforced that obliges them to settle only within certain zones. My government would receive it as evidence of good friendship if your Excellency used all his influence to obtain the nullification of such a severe law.

Sun Yat Sen

President of the Republic of China

Letter (1922)

Honorable Sir Álvaro Obregón, Constitutionalist President of the United States of Mexico:

We the undersigned, vecinos [residents] of the age of majority of Mixquiahuala de Juárez, Actopam, Hidalgo, respectfully declare:

That by virtue of the innumerable difficulties which, for reasons of politics have put our lives and those of our families in danger, disturbing the public peace, creating a conflict which people have unjustifiably wanted to characterize as agrarian, though it is not, for in no part of the Republic would the agrarian question have been better resolved than in Mixquiahuala de Juárez; however, passions that have been stirred up have caused this conflict, in which the National Agrarian Commission is involved, for the facts of the case have been presented to them on various occasions, as you will see below; however, said Commission, despite efforts we have made to be heard, has remained deaf to our protests; and, there has not been any resolution to the decisions and good deeds that you, Mister President, have carried out to resolve the conflict, and for this reason we once again recur to you to demand justice.

General Facts

1.—Years from 1622 to 1922.—Beginning in the year 1622, the pueblo [town] of Mixquiahuala de Juárez began to file complaints regarding the Ulapa Hacienda [agri-cultural estate] regarding land issues, the result of which were various declarations, all of which found in favor of the pueblo. However, bad governments, which have come one after another since that date until the year 1915, did not take into account that we were protected by reason, and that justice was ours, and disregarding the decisions of the tribunals, never resolved the case.

3222.—This being the case, and in accordance with the Plan de Ayala of 1915, and as the respective Acts verify, the lands that the pueblo [town] demanded were restituted, enacting, finally, a provisional distribution of lands in which all the petitions for parcels that were presented were attended to.

3.—With the Constitutional Government already established, in accordance with the decree of January 6, 1915, the Governor of the State was petitioned and from him we received recognition of the provisional possession of lands, with the Governor of the State naming an Executive Committee for the Ejidos [communally held lands] of Mixquiahuala, which continued to distribute parcels.

4.—In the year 1919, the Federal Government sent as delegate of the National Agrarian Commission, Engineer Don Ignacio L. Figueroa, who made it known that he was not going to give us lands, but rather, that he came as a mediator between the owners of Ulapa Hacienda and the vecinos of this pueblo, in order that the lands would be bought by those who had a right to receive parcels as long as the size of said parcels did not exceed fifty hectares. And indeed, such parcels were established. (All of the previous can be verified in the presidential resolution agreed upon in the distribution of ejidos of Mixquiahuala de Juárez.)

5.—On January 29, 1922, as warranted by clauses I and II of Article 40 of the Law of Ejidos of December 25, 1920, the pueblo of Mixquiahuala was called together to carry out election of the Administrative Committee of Ejidos of the pueblo. The election was carried out in accordance with the terms set forth by law and in accordance with democratic practices. Later, the Local Agrarian Commission of the State of Hidalgo, and the governor of the same [state] recognized those elections.

6.—While having already taken definitive possession of those lands since the year 1920, as a result of the agreement made by the government of Adolfo de la Huerta to grant ejidos to our pueblo, the situation began to change, and modifications were imposed upon the distribution of lands, lands which had already been granted to us and of which we had already taken possession; and, lacking legal standing that would have determined the means by which it should be carried out, and having elected the Administrative Committee, and having been signed by those people of standing of the pueblo, and of the most intellectual and moral distinction to correct the previous divisions, … we began to work the land, advancing along a path of order and equity, when professional politicians interfered with the intention of resolving an agrarian conflict which did not exist.

7.—The aforementioned Committee functioned until the month of July of last year, without having mediated a single protest during this time, when tempers were incited by political passions, which is substantiated by the fact of the election of deputies, and then an agitator by the name of Manuel Hera, partisan of the agrarista * representative Matías Rodríguez, who had initiated his electoral candidacy in the Tula Electoral District, to which our pueblo pertains, and who turned to the 323National Agrarian Commission with foolish complaints, and we do not know what sort of influence he exercises or what he must have done, but the fact of the matter is that last year on August 3 the State of Hidalgo Attorney for Ejidos, [called] for a new election….

8. The situation has become untenable, our lives are at risk, public peace has been disrupted, and in the name of the highest right, the right to life—that no one can take away—we turn to you, Mister President, so that you impose your authority and with all your effort resolve the conflict which people have wanted to say is agrarian by nature, and is not. For this reason we the undersigned have invoked our right to make, to you, Mister President, the following requests:

First.—That an Attorney for Pueblos be designated so that, in accordance with circular number 22, issued October, 1922, he call together all heads of family to elect an Administrative Committee.

Second.—That the president of the Republic send a person of the utmost trustworthiness to oversee this election.

Third.—That the election be carried out according to the following stipulations: I. That a census of all the families of this pueblo be made, a census that will be over-seen by the Presidency….

These, Mister President, are our requests, which fall within the law, and, so, we hope you will attend to our entreaty…. Justice is what we ask for … Mixquiahuala de Juárez, March 22, 1923. Signatures follow.

Letter (1927)

It is with pleasure that we, all the members of the “Women’s Union,” send along a photograph that was taken the day of the inauguration of our workshop for the production of work clothing [made] with the canvas and denim that, with such good will, you provided us with, so that we might better ourselves economically; and, as a result of which, as of today has opened to new horizons. We once again repeat our thanks and with pleasure offer our constant support in the social and economic improvement of women.

Effective suffrage. No re-election.

El Puerto de Concepción Tep, Aguascalientes, the 10th of February, 1927.

Signing for the Women’s Board of Directors, General Secretary, Miss Refugio García and Secretary of the Intr. [Interior] Miss Jesus Muñóz.

Juan Navarrte, Representative of the Community and Chief of Civil Defense of Zinzinmacato, Morelia Municipality and District.