Mexican Red Tape

The transfer of the title of the Hacienda El Chamal was going to be further delayed explained Mr. J. W. Flanagan, representative of the Mexican International Railroad, in a letter to Mr. J. L. Sweet, secretary of the colony. Mr. George Blalock, Mr. George Ingram, and Mr. J.L. Sweet had received power of attorney (Appendix G) from the colony to empower them to receive the title to the land. Dr. Orneles, a Mexican Counsel with whom Mr. Flanagan had spoken, advised that it was necessary that copies of the power of attorney be sent to the Mexican Ambassador in Washington D. C. This would further delay the departure by at least two weeks. To this end Mr. Sweet went to Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory, the week of January 26, 1903, to get the governor to endorse the power of attorney documents and then send them on to Washington DC.[1]

The colonists were becoming discouraged by so much Mexican red tape. They would now arrive in Chamal too late to take advantage of the "early seasons" [for planting], and there had been additional requirements placed upon them by the Mexican government. The Mexican government was now requiring that the colonists purchase a $3,000 bond, in Mexican money, "...as a guarantee of good faith, and for the exact performance of their contract."[2] Some good news was that the bond was interest bearing and could be sold with proceeds accruing to the corporation.

The Mexican government also required that the Blalock Mexico Colony have certified copies of their charter, articles of incorporation and colony by-laws sent to the Mexican Ambassador in Washington DC. There, the United States Secretary of State had to certify that the signature of the Secretary of the Territory of Oklahoma on all of the documents was authentic. Next, the Mexican Ambassador was required to generate a certified statement that all Blalock Mexico Colony organizing documents were authentic, and that the Blalock Mexico Colony was legally incorporated under the laws of the Territory of Oklahoma.[3]

In addition, the Mexican government was mandating that each colonist present himself before the nearest Mexican Counsel to make a statement of his or her intention to permanently move to Mexico to reside. Also each colonist was required to, "... make a counselor invoice of all tools, goods, livestock, etc., they expect to take. These effects must be described in detail, giving their weight in kilograms, and not pounds; they must also give the gross and net weight, the value of the same and the duties which they have to pay as per the Mexican tariff bill."[4]