[Translation.]
Mr. Romero to Mr. Seward
Mexican Legation to the United
States of America, Washington,
February 20, 1866.
Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to enclose
you two printed communications, of undoubted authenticity, which
passed between General Riva Palacio, acting
[Page 470]
as commander of the army of the centre of the
Mexican republic, and General Bazaine, commander-in-chief of the
French army now invading that republic. The first is from Tacambaro,
(State of Michoacan,) the 27th of November last, in regard to an
exchange of prisoners, soon afterwards effected; and the second is
from the city of Mexico, the 16th of the same month.
I also enclose a passport, in French and Spanish, given by the said
General Bazaine to General Don Santiago Tapia, one of the prisoners
exchanged at the time, who showed it to me in New York, on his way
to the northern frontier, where he has gone to continue his duty as
a soldier and patriot.
My object in sending you these documents is to keep the United States
government informed of the conduct of the invaders of Mexico, and I
now call your attention to the inconsistency of treating Mexicans as
belligerents, after once having denied them that right. The French
agent, Maximilian, after having denied all rights of belligerents to
the soldiers of the republic, whom he proclaims as bandits in his
decree of the 3d of October last, and shoots without trial, in
conformity to his decree, even though they belong to regularly
organized forces, now the commander-in-chief of the invaders,
negotiates a formal exchange of prisoners with General Riva Palacio,
whom he calls general and flatters with courteous language for his
humanity to French prisoners. To say the least, this signifies an
acknowledgment of the rights of belligerents to the forces of t he
republican army. The evident object of this inconsistency is to gain
the release of the French prisoners; and it is an open confession,
forced from the invaders of Mexican soil, that those forces
defending the independence of their country are not disorganized
bands of highway robbers, as they assert, and it is unjust and
absurd to deny them the considerations usually extended to all
belligerents throughout the civilized world.
I embrace the occasion to renew to you, Mr. Secretary, the assurances
of my most distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
[Enclosure No. 1.—Translation.]
No. 1403.]
Expeditionary Corps of
Mexico, Office of the Marshal Commander-in-Chief,
Mexico,
November 16,
1865.
General: I received your favor through
the politeness of Captain Miñon. I am pleased at the sentiments
of humanity that have animated you in this affair. Anxious to
assist you in this particular, I am disposed to do all I can to
bring about a good understanding.
Therefore I have the honor to inform you that I have given orders
for the exchange to take place in the town of Acuitzco, on the
2d of December, between 8 and 10 o’clock in the morning.
In this exchange, I place at your disposal—
First. General Canto and all the officers taken prisoners with
him by Colonel Potier.
Second. All the officers taken prisoners in Tacambaro by Colonel
Vanders Smissen.
Third. All the officers taken prisoners in Santa Anna Amatlan by
General Mendez.
Fourth. All the soldiers taken prisoners in Morelia. And,
finally, if you wish it, Generals Tapia and Juan Ramirez, taken
prisoners in Oaxaca and kept in Puebla.
All the prisoners in Morelia will be delivered to you on the 2d.
In regard to Generals Tapia and Ramirez, I give my word of honor
to set them at liberty in Puebla, with safe conducts to go where
they please, as soon as I hear that the exchange is made.
I have appointed Captain Bocarmé, of the Belgian regiment, to
supervise the exchange of prisoners. Captain Antonio Salgado
will accompany him, and he will be escorted to the town of
Acuitzco by a Belgian company of 50 or 60 men and a few Mexican
cavalry.
I hope, general, you will accept the good intentions offered you
on this occasion.
The number of officers sent you from Morelia will be * * * *
[Page 471]
I will not close this letter without thanking you for your
kindness and attentions towards the prisoners.
Please accept the assurances of my distinguished
consideration.
BAZAINE, Marshal of
France.
General Riva Palacio.
A copy of the original:
JESUS RUBIO, Chief
Clerk.
Tacambaro de codallos, September 27, 1865.
[Enclosure No. 2.]
republican army of the
centre.—general-in-chief.—no. 52.
Headquarters at Tacambaro de
Codallos,
November 27, 1865.
I have received, with much pleasure, through Captain Miñon, your
proposals for an exchange of prisoners; and your excellency may
rest assured that I will not oppose in any manner, but will do
all I can to assist the exchange; and I will order all the
prisoners in Zirandaro and Huetamo, Belgians and Mexicans, to be
delivered to your excellency’s commissioners.
Lieutenant Colonel Augustin Linarte, escorted by eighty cavalry,
will attend to the exchange in Acuitzco.
I will, however, observe that Captain Miñon presented your
communications to me last night; that from this place to the
prisoners is a distance of forty-six leagues of very bad road,
and from here to the place of exchange is twelve leagues, which
united make a distance of fifty-eight leagues, and I think it
hardly possible that the Belgian prisoners can make that
distance in the few days your excellency has appointed.
However,, I have sent an express to start the prisoners to this
city; and I take the liberty to request Captain Miñon to deliver
a letter to Captain Visart Bocarmé, asking him not to start till
I give the proper notice.
I am sure your excellency will not think I am to blame, if the
exchange does not take place on the day you have fixed, and as I
desire.
To prevent hostilities on the road from here to Morelia from
interrupting the execution of this negotiation, I give orders
that they be suspended along the line from Tacambaro to
Acuitzco, and in case they are broken, I assure your excellency
it will not be caused by the republican forces.
Before closing, I must thank your excellency for your kindness
and civility in this business, a proof of your humane and noble
sentiments.
I beg your excellency to accept the protestations of my
distinguished consideration.
VICENTE RIVA PALACIO.
His Excellency Marshal Bazaine,
Commander-in-chief of the Expeditionary Corps in
Mexico.
A copy of the original:
JESUS RUBIO, Chief Clerk.
Tacambaro de Codallos, November 27,
1865.
[Enclosure No. 3.]
CORPS OF MEXICO.—OFFICE OF THE MARSHAL
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.
Safe Conduct.
By virtue of the powers granted to me by his Majesty the
emperor Maximilian, and in consequence of the exchange of
prisoners effected the 5th of December, 1865, at Acuitzco,
(Michoacan,) General Tapia Santiago, prisoner of war at
Oaxaca, is set at liberty and authorized to return to
Tacambaro to present himself to General Vicente Riva
Palacio, or to follow him wherever he may be found.
The civil and military authorities are requested to let him
pass freely, on his journey from Puebla to Tacambaro.
BAZAINE, Marshal of
France.
Mexico, December 8, 1865.
The present safe conduct allows General Tapia to remain only
eight days in Tacambaro.
MARSHAL BAZAINE.
Mexico, December 15,
1865.
[Translation.]
Headquarters of the Republican Army of the Centre.
The citizen general, Santiago Tapia, presented himself at these
headquarters on the 30th day of the past month, and, in
compliance with the obligation referred to in the marginal note,
returned to Mexico on the 4th day of the present month.
RIVA PALACIO.
Tacambaro de Codallos, January 2,
1866.
