William L. Dayton
&c., &c., &c.
[Extract.]
Mr. Kimmey to Mr. Seward
United States Consulate,
Monterey, Mexico,
March 4, 1864.
Sir: The difficulty between the general
government and Governor Vidaurri is daily becoming more complicated.
A decree from President Juarez, separating the states of Nuevo Leon
and Coahuila, was given at Saltillo on the 26th ultimo. The
following is a translation of the first article: “The state of
Coahuila will immediately re-assume its character as one of the free
and sovereign states of the united Mexican States, separating itself
from Nuevo Leon in which it was incorporated.” The separation of the
two. states gives President Juarez control of the Custen Hense or
Piedras Negras. Governor Vidaurri refuses to recognize the authority
of the president, and has declared his intention of driving him from
Nuevo Leon and Coahuila, and for that purpose is raising all the
forces he is able to arm.
Another decree from the president deposes Governor Vidaurri, and
declares this state in open hostility to the government of Mexico.
Communication between this place and Saltillo is almost entirely cut
off; no provisions of any kind are allowed to come this way. No
mails pass either way, and it is only by foreigners coming in that
we are able to learn of the movements of the government troops.
The president has now, in addition, to the troops he left here, a
force of about two thousand men from Durango, commanded by Governor
Petona in person, which, with the volunteers from Saltillo and other
points in the state of Coahuila, swells his numbers to not less than
five thousand men.
Governor Vidaurri has about twelve hundred men, but, with the
artillery he has belonging to the government, he will be able to
protect himself in the citadel against a large force.
An order was issued here on the 1st instant to the troops to prepare
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themselves to march in
two days for Saltillo. The time was, to-day, further postponed until
the 7th instant.
A man just in from Saltillo represents the troops of President Juarez
preparing to march on this place. An advance of five hundred men
were twenty miles this side of Saltillo.
A despatch from General Bazaine, of the French forces, to Governor
Vidaurri was received a few days since. The following is its
substance:
“In one hand peace is offered; in the other, war. If you. accept the
former, you must adhere to the intervention frankly recognizing the
government which is established in Mexico. If, on the contrary, you
decide for the latter, you must expect to suffer all the calamities
incident to war.”
The governor made, in substance, the following answer:
“I have not the power to choose between the two extremes which you
propose, but will submit this vital question to the people, as I
have always done on grave subjects, and their determination transmit
to you as soon as obtained.”
No advance of the French army has been made since my last
communication; but, on the contrary, the report of their retreat to
San Luis Potosi is quite generally believed.
The reoccupation of the Guadaljara by General Urega, and the taking
by him of four thousand French and Reactienania prisoners, has given
new heart to the Mexicans of the liberal party.
The French army in San Luis Potosi is levying contributions on the
citizens for its support, and, instead of bringing peace, as they
offer in every instance in advance, they bring misery on the people
wherever their army goes.
* * * * * * * *
Your obedient servant,
M. M. KIMMEY, United States
Consul.
Hon. William H. Seward
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
