[Translation.]
Señor Romero to Mr. Seward
Mexican Legation in the United
States of America, Washington,
August 22, 1866.
Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to transmit to
you, for the information of the government of the United States, copies
of two letters I received to-day from General Nicolas de Regules, chief
of the central army of the republic, dated in San Antonio de las
Huertas, the 16th of May last and the 7th of June following, which show
the state of affairs on the central military division, commanded by
General Regules, who has commanded that line, and specially the
condition of things in the State of Michoacan.
I also enclose you copies of portions of a letter from General Juan
Alvarez, chief of the army of the south, dated in Providencia, State of
Guerrero, the 29th of June last, containing some news from the army of
the centre.
I embrace the occasion to renew to you, Mr. Secretary, the assurances of
my most distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
No. 1.
[Untitled]
San Antonio de las
Huertas,
May 16, 1866.
Dear Sir: I wrote to you on the 3d of last
month from this place, acknowledging the receipt of your despatches,
and informing you of the condition of the army under my command, so
that you might use your influence to induce the government of the
republic to give me the aid necessary to carry out my plans.
As important events have occurred in Michoacan since I wrote you, I
will proceed to give you an account of them, hoping you will
appreciate them properly, and do your best to have the supplies I
need so much sent to me.
As the imperialists knew they would have a powerful enemy to their
organization as long as the army of the centre was permitted to
exist, though reduced to a skeleton, determined to destroy it at all
hazards, they therefore sent an expedition of six thousand men
against our seven hundred naked, ill-armed and suffering soldiers.
They came to the attack in three columns, perfectly organized; the
plan of their campaign could not be better, for they could force me
to fight and destroy me, or compel me to fall back upon the State of
Guerrero, with my ragged, starving, needy soldiers, where they would
certainly perish of famine, as that country is entirely destitute of
supplies.
But the expedition failed, because the two columns of four thousand
French had to go
[Page 248]
into the
interior of the republic on account of defeats in the borders of the
States of Jalisco and Guanajuata. Thus deserted, the traitors
abandoned the towns they had occupied, and concentrated on a line
they thought more easy of defence.
My troops did not suffer as much as was expected, because I left the
unhealthy situation where I had been camped, and moved to the
enemy’s rear with the cavalry, and continued to annoy him till my
infantry had passed the Balsas river. I was pleased to see my men
endure all sorts of hardships patiently, thus showing how patriots
can suffer.
So here we are again, after a march of one hundred leagues through a
sickly and destitute country, and my forces have increased in
numbers, thanks to General Alvarez, who gave me arms for them; and
my cavalry have improved, so we are almost ready to march upon the
enemy.
So you will see, Mr. Minister, I only want arms and means to place
the central army in a respectable condition, and I hope you will try
to procure me both.
Your very obedient servant,
Minister Don Matias Romero, Washington.
No. 2.
[Untitled]
San Antonio de las
Huertas,
June 7, 1866.
Dear Sir: In reply to your two very
acceptable letters of the 1st and 29th of April, which I only
received yesterday, I must inform you that I received your others,
with the official despatches, in due time, and answered them, and I
hope the answers have reached you by this time. I spoke of my
situation and my wants with great frankness in those letters, and
begged you to use all your influence in procuring me aid, by writing
to the government to give the necessary aid to the army of the
centre, particularly if the loan has been effected.
As I told you, I have continued to labor without ceasing to increase
and organize my forces, in spite of the great scarcity of resources
with which I have to contend, and the want of arms and
ammunition.
The imperialists are so demoralized at the report of the withdrawal
of the French army, and the certainty of no more aid from abroad,
that I have no doubt I could vanquish them; but the interests
intrusted to me are so sacred I will not risk it unless I have the
elements to insure success. If the government will send me the aid I
have asked I will attack at once; but I repeat to you that, even if
I do not get it, I will not be discouraged, and will work on
faithfully and diligently; and I trust my delay will not be
attributed to any other causes than those I have mentioned.
I hope you will continue to favor me with your letters, while I
remain your respectful and obedient servant,
Minister Don Matias Romero, Washington.
No. 3.
[Untitled]
La Providencia,
June 29, 1866.
Sir: General Diaz has left this place with
eight hundred men from this State for Chantla, a town in the State
of Puebla, occupied by a band of traitors. I will write you the
result of the expedition by the next mail.
General Regules remains at San Antonio de las Huertas, reorganizing
and collecting supplies to continue the campaign in Michoacan. I
enclose you two papers which he requested me to send you.
I remain your obedient servant,
