PRESIDENT PORFIRIO DIAZ (MEXICO) - DOCUMENT SIGNED 03/07/1908 CO-SIGNED BY: GOVERNOR OLEGARIO MOLINA SOLIS - HFSID 257276

PORFIRIO DIAZ and OLEGARIO MOLINA

The controversial Mexican President and some members of his cabinet sign this property title of a gold and copper mine located in the Mexican State of Puebla

Document Signed: "Porfirio Diaz", "O. Molina", "Aldama" and "Ramos" in iron gall ink. 11½x17, folded. 23x17, flat. Dated: March 7, 1908. Fully Translated into English: "Title number 40776. Porfirio Diaz. Constitutional President of the United States of Mexico, whoever read this must know that since the requirements required by law since June 25, 1892 have been fulfilled in the file of the Mines Agency in Tetela de Ocampo in response to the request of Mr. Eugenio Mirade about eight belongings to create the gold and copper mine called 'La Yndita' situated in the Alatriste District in Puebla, with eight hectares surface without any other mine linked to it, all this according to the map attached to this title and for the file number three hundred and fifteen which copy is in the development secretary and the original is in the Mining Agency of Tetela de Ocampo. I have decided to issue this title that assures the property of the gold and copper named 'La Indita', with an eight hectares surface. There is no anyone else claiming rights over the said property. So, I order the authorities of the State of Puebla and to the rest in the Republic to not balk Mr. Eugenio Mirade in the property he just acquired and to help him to meet all the requirements that the mining law in the United States of Mexico requires. Issued in the Federal Government Palace in Mexico on March 7, 1908. Porfirio Diaz/O. Molina. Property Title of the mine 'La indita' of eight hectares surface in favor of Mr. Eugenio Mirade. Mexico, March 7, 1908. Aldama. This document was written on page 181. Mexico, March 7, 1908." JOSE DE LA CRUZ PORFIRIO DIAZ MORI (1830-1915) was the 29th President of Mexico, who served seven terms totaling three and a half decades between 1876 and 1911. Even though he had started his preparation to become a priest, he found out that his real vocation was the military and became a soldier and lawyer. As a veteran of the Reform War and the French intervention in Mexico, he rose to the rank of General, leading republican troops against Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg. Mexican historians have called his presidential term Porfiriato. Porfirio Diaz is a controversial historical figure, some consider him a heartless villain and others a man who did not hesitate to impose order and progress in the country. His presidency term is known for the enormous internal stability known as "paz porfiriana", modernization and economic growth. Even though Porfirio Diaz made a heavy investment in mining and railways from American and British business his regime grew unpopular due to repression and political stagnation. Furthermore because his economic policies helped a few wealthy landowners to acquire huge areas of land that left rural farming peasants unable to make a living, thus resulting in few jobs and very low wages for the growing working population of Mexico. All of that directly originated the Mexican Revolution which main purpose was to remove him from power after he imprisoned his electoral rival and declared himself the winner of an eight term in office. Fearing for his life, he and his wife escaped to France, where he died in exile for years later. He is buried in Montparnasse cemetery in Paris. Even though in recent years some historians have started a deep re-analysis of his legacy and recognized the progress he brought to Mexico, some still considering him a dictator and proof of it is that his remains have not been returned to Mexico. OLEGARIO MOLINA (1843-1925) was a Mexican lawyer and politician. He was Governor of Yucatan, Secretary of Development in the presidency of Porfirio Diaz and two times senator. He was the most known individual in the oligarchy of Yucatan of the beginnings of the twentieth century that controlled the economy of that state. He was the brother of historian Juan Francisco and journalist Audomaro Molina. Olegario Molina died in exile in Cuba. Co-signeer merit for further research. Four 10-peso stamps and blue ink stamp in top left corner of page 1. Lightly toned, foxed, soiled, discolored and creased. Bottom left corner of page 1 is missing. Tears in top, right and bottom edges. Pinholes along left edge. Folded in half horizontally and twice vertically, comes folded in half. Pen and pencil notations on verso (unknown hand). Otherwise, fine condition.