[Translation.]
Mr. Romero to Mr. Seward
Mexican Legation to the United
States, New York,
September 14, 1865.
Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to remit to
you a copy of No. 95 of the “official newspaper of the government of
the State of Tabasco,” of the 20th July last, which came to my hands
a short time since, in which you will see the congratulation which
the governor of that State addressed on that same date of July to
the consul of the United States at San Juan Bautista on the
termination of the civil war in this country, manifesting at the
same time his sorrow for the assassination of President Lincoln.
It is satisfactory to me to send you this communication, as proof of
the sympathies which the Mexican people have for the people of the
United States; of the sorrow with which they heard of their
misfortunes, and of the rejoicing with which they celebrate their
victories, well understanding that circumstances had become so
complicated that the fate of the two peoples might be considered as
identified, and that events favoring the United States could not be
less than favorable to the cause of Mexican nationality.
I avail of this 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]
[From the Boletin Official of
Tabasco, vol. 1, No. 95, July 20, 1865.]
Mexican Republic, Political
and Military Government of the State of Tabasco, San
Juan Bautista, July 4, 1865.
Mr. Consul: The kindred people of this
continent, united in the lovely bonds of democracy, ought to
share mutually in its joys and its sorrows. For this reason
Mexico will
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ever
deplore the unfortunate event of the 14th of April last, the
death of the illustrious champion of liberty, in the city of
Washington. For this reason will Mexico forget her past
misfortunes, in the midst of her present trials, and
congratulate the great and heroic people of the United States on
this day of glorious memory.
Accept, then, Mr. Consul, on this day—the anniversary of that
auspicious day when your ancestors proclaimed their independence
in the city of Philadelphia—my sincere congratulations, as a
private individual, and as the representative of this State, of
whose sympathies I believe myself on this occasion the most
faithful interpreter.
Accept also, in the name of your government, the demonstrations
of esteem and good will from the garrison of this place, who
have kindred sentiments, and trust that Mexico in general, and
Tabasco in particular, will be worthy members of the great
democratic family that people the world of Columbus, in spite of
the mean strategy now used to divide us.
I make vows to Providence for the happiness of the United States,
and pray that the peace the great republic has just conquered at
such a great sacrifice may last long, for the good of
humanity.
You will please accept, on this account, the assurances of my
personal esteem and consideration.
Republic and liberty! San Juan Bautista, 4th of July, 1865.
Leon AlejoTorre, First Officer.
B. N. Sanders, Consul of the United
States at this port, present.
[Enclosure No. 2.—Translation.]
Consulate of the United
States, San Juan Bautista,
July 4,
1865.
Sir: As the accredited agent of my
government at this capital, I give you my most sincere thanks
for the eloquent and expressive homage offered in your
communication of this morning to the memory of our deceased and
patriot President, who fell beneath the hands of that most
ignoble of criminals—an assassin; and at the same time, as a
citizen of the United States, and in the name of that people, I
give thanks to you, and through you to all the citizens of this
State who may favor the democratic constitutional system,
sincerely felicitating them on the anniversary of our national
independence.
Let it be permitted to me to assure your excellency that with
sentiments of the purest gratification and infinite satisfaction
I will make known to the government at Washington that Mexico,
forgetting on this day her misfortunes and calamities, sends her
on the wings of the morning fresh proofs of her brotherly
friendship, and reminds her once more, in the midst of her
afflictions and calamities, of her eternal attachment to
democratic principles.
It is very proper that two sister republics of the New World
should rejoice on the happy termination of our giant war, as it
must be admitted that if the integrity and unity of our republic
had been destroyed, ten years would not elapse ere the new
hemisphere would again fall under the domination of the Old
World. This day, throughout all the circuit of the United
States, the grandest spectacle ever witnessed by man is gazed on
with admiration: a nation of thirty millions of inhabitants, who
were yesterday at war among themselves, pardoning and forgetting
the animosities engendered by civil war, this day reunite in
their respective cities and districts, unanimously cheering in
solemn utterances, which will resound forever; and as the
rainbow is a witness of harmony between earth and heaven, so
will this day be held by all the people of the United States as
a guarantee of peace between east and west, north and south, by
all generations to come.
Let us then rejoice on the complete restoration of the Union,
which, by affixing the seal of experience to the declarations of
the wise men who eighty-nine years ago laid the foundation-stone
of the great transatlantic republic, demonstrates to the
universe that our system of government can sustain, and remain
unhurt, assaults which would destroy the very foundation of any
nation not based upon democratic principles. Let us rejoice,
therefore, in the triumph of the indestructible Constitution in
its pristine vigor, for it has opened a new era in the history
of republican government, vindicating it against the bitter
jeering of the monarchists of the Old World, who idly hoped we
would perish ignominiously in our civil war a short time ago
raging with incomparable fury.
Let us thrice three times rejoice in the glorious proofs of the
last years, because they,
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in union with the precious revolutionary
memories of 1776, have added more splendor and fame to this day
as one of those of jubilee for the defenders of liberty and of
progress throughout the world; because another morning dawns,
advancing towards high noon.
May God protect and defend the republics of the New World.
Please to accept the expression of my most distinguished
consideration and respect.
C. Gregorio Mendez, Governor of the State of
Tabasco, present.
