PRESIDENT PORFIRIO DIAZ (MEXICO) - DOCUMENT SIGNED 08/21/1901 CO-SIGNED BY: GOVERNOR LEANDRO FERNANDEZ IMAS, GILBERTO HUERTA, E. MARTNEZ BACA, JUAN CASTILLO - HFSID 182587

PORFIRIO DIAZ, LEANDRO FERNANDEZ IMAS, GILBERTO HUERTA, E. MARTINEZ BACA and JUAN CASTILLO

The controversial Mexican President, remembered for his advocacy of foreign investment, signs this property title in favor of Mr. Cooper Shapely over the mine of copper "Don Samuel" located in the State of Durango. It is co-signed by government employees

Document Signed: "Porfirio Diaz" in iron gall ink. 11½x17½ folded, 23x17½ flat. Four pages. Dated: August 21, 1901. Fully Translated in English: "Title number 14755. Porfirio Diaz. Constitutional President of the United States of Mexico, whoever reads this document must know that: According to the 6th article of the mining law of the United States of Mexico, and since the requirements of such law in the regulation from June 25, 1892 have been fulfilled in the file made by the Mining Agency in Mapimi in response to the request that Mr. Cooper Shapley concerning to the mine of copper 'Don Samuel', located in the land of 'La Cadena' in the State of Durango, with a surface of two hundred and fifty acres, and linking with the mines 'La Anaconda', 'La Panandera', 'Panandera Anexas' and 'Donato Guerra A.' and by the west the mines of 'Ruburn' y 'Donato Guerra B.', according to the map that accompanies this title and to the file that is in the Development Secretary, and which original is in the Mining Agency of Mapimi.Title of propery of the mine 'Don Samuel' with a surface of two hundred and fifty in favor of Mr. Cooper Shapley. Mexico, August 21, 1901. Gilberto Huerta. Registered on page 157 of the book. The Chief of Section 3, E. Medina". 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 land owners 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. LEANDRO FERNANDEZ IMAS (1851-1924) was a very important Mexican engineer, scientist and politician. He was born in Nombre de Dios, Durango in 1851. He studied in the National School of Engineers, in the Commerce School and in the National Conservatory. He graduated from the first one as a Topographical Engineer, Civil Engineer and Geographical Engineer,.His studies about mathematics, astronomy, geodesy and topography caught the attention of minister Manuel Fernandez Leal. He was designed as professor of Geodesy and Astronomy and multiple times the students of the National School of Engineers requested him as professor of Calculus, Probabilities, Theory of Errors and Mathematical Physics; he was also director of the school. He traveled to the United States to specialize and after his arrival in Mexico he was designed Director of the Astronomic Observatory in Palace; he also represented Mexico in two astronomic congresses in the U.S. During the Presidency of General Porfirio Diaz he served as Secretary of Communications and Public Works in Mexico, Secretary of Foment, Colonization and Industry in Mexico and from 1897 to 1898 he served as Governor of the State of Durango. GILBERTO HUERTA was a government employee during the Presidency of General Porfirio Diaz. E. MARTINEZ BACA was a government employee during the Presidency of General Porfirio Diaz. JUAN CASTILLO served as a government employee during the Presidency of General Porfirio Diaz. Co-signers merit for further research. Affixed with multiple approval paper and ink stamps in first page's top margin, as well as 3 pages right margin. Document allowing mining rights to Mr. Cooper Shapely in the La Cadre Mountains near Mapimi, Durango, Mexico affixed. 14x14 original copy of the map displaying the exact area (Mino de "Don Samuel") that is to be mined affixed.Normal folds, irregularly cut. Lightly toned and soiled. Staple marks throughout. Otherwise, fine condition.