[Translation.]
Mr. Romero to Mr.
Hunter
Mexican Legation in the United
States of America, Washington,
January 21, 1866.
Mr. Acting Secretary: I have the honor of
transmitting to you, for the information of the government of the United
States, the copy of a note of Mr. Lerdo de Tejada, minister of foreign
relations of the Mexican republic, dated El Paso, 19th December, 1865,
and numbered 407, with the circular addressed to the State governors,
informing them that the President of the republic left the city of
Chihuahua, on the 9th of May, on account of a large French force
marching against it, and arrived at El Paso del Norte on the 18th, where
the national government of Mexico is at present established.
A copy of the circular is also enclosed.
I think proper to call your attention to the assurances in the circular
that “the President of the republic will always firmly maintain his
resolution to sustain the cause of the independence and institutions of
Mexico, under all the vicissitudes of war, which are now decreasing, and
the enemy’s resources will soon be exhausted by the constant struggle of
the Mexican people, who are bound to triumph at no very distant
period.”
I embrace the occasion to renew to you the assurance of my most
distinguished consideration.
Hon. William Hunter, &c.,
&c., &c.
[Page 60]
No. 1.
[Translation.]
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN RELATIONS AND GOVERNMENT, OFFICE
OF RELATIONS— SECTION OF AMERICA—No. 407.
Paso DEL Norte, Chihuahua,
December 19, 1865.
I enclose to you with this note a copy of the circular issued by this
department, giving notice that the President of the republic left
Chihuahua the 9th of this month, and arrived in this city yesterday,
where the seat of the national government is established for the
time being.
I assure you of my attentive consideration.
Citizen Matias Romero, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the
Mexican Republic in Washington, D. C.
No. 2.
[Translation.]
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN RELATIONS AND GOVERNMENT, OFFICE
OF GOVERNMENT— SECTION FIRST.
The citizen President of the republic left the city of Chihuahua the
9th, and arrived here yesterday, where he has determined to fix the
seat of the national government, for the time being.
It is unnecessary to repeat that the citizen President of the
republic will always firmly maintain his resolution to sustain the
cause of the independence and institutions of the republic, under
all the vicissitudes of war, which are now decreasing, and the
enemy’s resources will soon be exhausted by the constant struggle of
the Mexican people, who are bound to triumph at no very distant
period.
Independence and liberty! Paso del Norte, December 19, 1865.
LERDO DE TEJADA.
The Citizen Governor of the
State of——.
A true copy:
JUAN VALDES, First
Officer.
Paso del
Norte, December 19,
1865.
No. 3.
[Translation.]
Paso del Norte,
Mexico,
December 22, 1865.
In my letter of the 15th ultimo I announced the departure of
President Juarez, with his cabinet and government, from the city of
Chihuahua for this place, and also stated that the probable date of
his arrival would be the 16th or 17th. In consequence, however, of a
very cold spell of weather—the coldest that has been experienced
here for years—he was unable to reach this point until last Monday,
December 18.
During the previous week we had been celebrating our annual fiesta in honor of “Our Lady of
Guadalupe”—the recognized patroness of this place—and, as usual,
this had brought an immense concourse of people from the neighboring
country. Their conduct and enthusiasm must have proved cheering, and
given hope-inspiring evidence to the President of their deep
earnestness and sympathy in his fortunes. When it became known that
the republican President was nearing the city a large body of
horsemen, including all the principal men of the place, preceded by
a band of music, sallied out to meet and escort him to the residence
assigned for his use. An immense crowd of persons, of all ages and
sexes, lined the principal street and plaza from an early hour in
the day, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the cavalcade. It was not
until late in the afternoon, however, that the procession arrived.
The mounted deputation of citizens came first; after them came the
President in his carriage, accompanied by the secretary of state and
the secretary of the treasury; then followed a company of infantry
as a body guard, and after them the remaining part of the cortege, consisting of a large number of
carriages and ambulances, containing, besides government officials,
many of the principal citizens of Chihuahua, who voluntarily
perferred following the fortunes of the President to living under
French domination at home.
[Page 61]
The most enthusiastic expressions of joy and welcome greeted the
President as he slowly rode through the dense crowd of citizens who
filled the streets through which he passed. Vivas upon vivas burst from a
thousand tongues; the bells of the cathedral rang out their merriest
chimes; deafening volleys of small-arms rent the air, while peal
after peal of heavy artillery shook the loftiest peaks of the Sierra
Madre. It was a gratifying evidence that the popular heart beats
right; that although a few of the principal men may have united
their fortunes with the imperial dynasty, still the sturdy yeomanry,
the bone and sinew of the country, are as ready and willing as at
any previous time to strike in defence of the institutions of their
choice and adoption.
A column of about five hundred infantry, under General Terrasaz, who
has been the governor of this State for a number of years, left
Chihuahua a day or two after the President, and are now in the town
of Carrizal. They will remain there a few days and then come on to
this place, where, it is thought, their number will be increased to
a thousand men. With this force it is intended to move on the
capital of the State to drive the invader out of it. General
Terrasaz has also moved the entire State government to the town of
Carrizal, including the archives and all movable property; and, for
the present, that town will be the State capital.
The last mail brought the cheering news that President Johnson had at
last appointed, after such a long interregnum, a new minister to
represent the United States in this country; and the news was none
the less welcome when it was known that that gallant soldier and
eloquent orator, General John A. Logan, was the man. The news was
carried to President Juarez by a special courier, and met him on his
way to this place. The very intelligence has given new life and
energy to things here already, and the most happy results are
anticipated from it.
The military commandant here is Colonel Carlos Norriega, who was one
of the prisoners captured at the taking of Puebla and sent to
France, with General Mejia and many more. He was released some
months ago, as well as the latter officer, who is also here. They
arrived a short time ago by the overland mail from St. Louis.
Colonel Norriega speaks English quite fluently, is a most efficient
officer, and much liked.