[Translation.]
Mr. Romero to Mr. Seward
Legation of Mexico to the
United States, New
York,
November 4, 1865.
Mr. Secretary: In confirmation of what I
had the honor of communicating to you in my note of the 20th of
October last, relative to the object of the colonization plan
adopted by the usurper in Mexico, I now have the honor of
transmitting to you a copy, in English, of the so-called five
decrees of the ex-Archduke of Austria, promulgated in September
previous, in which he names Mr. M. F. Maury, a declared enemy of the
United States, as honorary counsellor of state, and imperial
commissioner of colonization, and Mr. J. B. Magruder, also a
declared enemy of this government, as chief of the colonization land
office.
In the third of said decrees you will observe, in confirmation of
what I communicated to your department, about the nature of the
colonization to be made in Mexico, that Mr. Maury has been
authorized to establish agencies in the States of Virginia, North
and South Carolina, Texas, Missouri, and California, and in the
cities of Mobile and New Orleans, which plainly shows they only
think to get men from the south, and precisely from those States
where they suppose there are most malcontents against this
government. It is a very significant fact that not one single agency
is established in the northern States, which were faithful to the
Union of this government during the last civil war.
I also enclose a copy, in English, of the circular issued on the 5th
of October, by Mr. Maury, as imperial commissioner of
colonization.
I embrace this occasion of renewing to you, Mr. Secretary, the
assurances of my most distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c. Washington City, D.
C.
[Enclosure No. 1.]
MAXIMILIAN, EMPEROR OF
MEXICO.
In consideration of his well-known capacity, I hereby nominate
our honorary counsellor of state, M. F. Maury, imperial
commissioner of colonization.
The minister of the interior is charged with the execution of
this decree.
MAXIMILIAN.
For the Emperor:
LUIS ROBLES PEZUELA, Minister of
the Interior.
Mexico, September 27, 1865.
MAXIMILIAN, EMPEROR OF
MEXICO.
Our honorary counsellor of state, M. F. Maury, is authorized to
establish the office of imperial commissioner of colonization at
No. 13 San Juan de Letran street, and our minister of the
interior is authorized to rent the said property at a sum not to
exceed one hundred dollars per month.
MAXIMILIAN.
To the Minister of the Interior.
For the Emperor:
MANUEL OROZCO Y BERRA, Sub-Secretary.
Chapultepec, September 24, 1865.
MAXIMILIAN, EMPEROR OF
MEXICO.
Our honorary counsellor of state, M. F. Maury, is authorized to
appoint seven agents of colonization in the following States and
cities of the United States: Virginia, North and South
[Page 527]
Carolina, Texas,
Missouri, California, New Orleans, Mobile. Said agents shall
receive one hundred dollars per month as Compensation, and the
further sum of three hundred dollars per annum for necessary
expenses.
MAXIMILIAN.
To the Minister of Interior.
For the Emperor:
LUIS ROBLES PEZUELA, Minister of
the Interior.
Chapultepec, September 24, 1865.
AXIMILIAN, EMPEROR OF
MEXICO.
The following sums are appropriated for the office of Senior
Maury, honorary counsellor of state and imperial commissioner of
colonization: Office furniture, $150; expenses of office,
annually, $500; for one clerk, annually, $1,200; for one private
messenger, annually, $300.
Our minister of the interior is charged with the execution of
this order.
MAXIMILIAN.
To the Minister of the Interior.
For the Emperor:
LUIS ROBLES PEZUELA, Minister of
the Interior.
Chapultepec, September 27, 1865.
The following is the decree of Maximilian appointing the rebel
General Magruder as chief of the land office of
colonization:
MAXIMILIAN, EMPEROR OF
MEXICO.
Desiring to forward the object of immigration to Mexico, a land
office of colonization shall be established in this capital, and
J. B. Magruder is hereby appointed its chief. The following sums
are appropriated for the expenses of this office: For salary of
J. B. Magruder, annually, $3,000; for office furniture,
annually, $150; for rent of office, monthly, $100; for office
expenses, annually, $500; for pay of messenger, annually,
$300.
Señor Magruder will report to us the number of engineers and
surveyors which will be necessary to carry into effect the
objects of his appointment, and also the amount which he
recommends to be appropriated for their salary.
The minister of the interior is charged with the execution of
this order.
MAXIMILIAN.
To the Minister of the Interior.
For the Emperor:
LUIS ROBLES PEZUELA. Minister of
the Interior.
Chapultepec, September 27,
1865.
[Enclosure No. 2.]
The Mexico Times of October 14 prints the following circular:
No. 13 Calle de San Juan
Letran, Mexico, October 5,
1865.
To the land-owners of Mexico:
All who desire to encourage immigration, and have lands to sell,
are hereby informed that if they will make known to this office
the terms and conditions upon which they are willing to dispose
of them to actual settlers, this office, if the terms are
favorable, will, without fee or charge of any sort, assist,
through its agents abroad and by advertisements, such owners in
bringing their lands to the notice of the immigrant.
It will also, in the case of lands which are offered upon terms
that are sufficiently inviting to immigrants, cause them to be
examined at the public expense. If found suitable as to health,
quality, and location, it will have them surveyed and mapped,
also without any expense to the owners, furnishing each with a
copy of the survey of his own land.
The terms upon which offers are made will be regarded as
confidential, if so desired; and in all cases the colonists and
land-owners will be left free to make and consummate their own
bargains according to the offers made through this office. In
surveying and bringing these lands into market, preference will
be given to those which, on account of terms, situation, and
quality, offer the greatest inducements to immigrants.
M. F. MAURY, Imperial Commissioner of
Colonization,
