DEMONSTRATION OF HONOR BY THE UNITED
STATES OF COLOMBIA TO PRESIDENT JUAREZ, OF MEXICO.
[Translation.]
Mr. Romero to Mr. Seward
Mexican Legation in the United
States of America, Washington,
July 22, 1865.
Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to transmit
to you, for the information of the government of the United States,
a copy of a decree issued on the 2d of May last, by the congress of
the United States of Colombia, in which it is declared that “in
virtue of the self-denial and unconquerable perseverance which Señor
Benito Juarez, in the character of constitutional president of the
United Mexican States, has displayed in defence of the independence
and liberty of his country,” he has deserved well of America, and it
is decreed, “as an act of homage to such virtues, and as an example
to the Colombian youth,” that the portrait of the president of
Mexico be kept in the national library of Bogota, with an
appropriate inscription.
This decree was published in the number 319 of the official journal
of the United States of Colombia, corresponding to the 6th of May,
aforementioned, at page 1234, column fourth.
The government of Colombia has thus recognized the fact that the
question which is being debated at present in Mexico affects all
America.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you, Mr. Secretary,
the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c.,
&c.,
[Page 543]
Decree of the 2d of
May, 1865, in honor of the president
of Mexico, Señor Benito Juarez.
The Congress of the United States of Colombia decrees:
Article 1. The Congress of Colombia, in
the name of the people which it represents, in view of the
self-denial and unconquerable perseverance which Señor Benito
Juarez, in the character of constitutional president of the
United Mexican States, has displayed in the defence of the
independence and liberty of his country, declares that the said
citizen has deserved well of America; and as an act of homage to
such virtues, and as an example to the Colombian youth,
Resolves, That the potrait of that eminent
statesman be kept in the national library, with the following
inscription:
“Benito Juarez, the
Mexican citizen.”
The Congress of 1865 offers him, in the name of the people of
Colombia, this homage for his constancy in defending the liberty
and independence of Mexico.
Article 2. The executive power will
cause to be delivered into the hands of Señor Juarez, through
the channel of the minister of Colombia, residing in Washington,
a copy of the present decree.
Article 3. In the appropriation which
is to be voted by the Congress for the ensuing year will be
included the sum adequate to enable the executive power to give
full compliance to the present decree.
Given at
Bogota
this first day
of May, 1865.
VICTORIANO DE D. PAREDES, President of
the Senate of Plenipotentiaries.
SANTIAGO PEREZ, President of the House
of Representatives.
JUAN DE D. RIOMALO, Secretary of the
Senate of Plenipotentiaries.
NICOLAS PEREIRA GAMBA, Secretary of
the House of Representatives.
Bogota, May 2,
1865.
Let it be published and executed.
[L. S.] MANUEL
MURILLO.
By the President:
Antonio del Real, Secretary of the
Interior and Foreign Relations.
