[Translation.]
Mr. Romero to Mr.
Seward
Mexican Legation in the United
States of America, Washington,
March 2, 1866.
Mr. Secretary: I have the honor of transmitting
to you, for the information of the government of the United States, a
copy, for that purpose, of a letter I received to-day from Colonel Don
Gregorio Mendez, governor and military commander of the State of
Tabasco, in the Mexican republic, dated in the city
[Page 96]
of San Juan Bautista, the 2d of February
last, in which he acknowledges the receipt of the decrees issued by the
government of Mexico on the 8th of November last, prolonging the
functions of the constitutional President of the republic; states they
were very well received in his State, and notifies me they will be
solemnly published the next day. I also enclose to you, for the same
purpose, the copy of a letter of the same date from the same Colonel
Mendez to the constitutional President of Mexico, containing a similar
manifestation.
I accept with pleasure this occasion to renew to you, Mr. Secretary, the
assurances of my most distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c.,
&c.
No. 1.
[Translation.—Extract.]
San Juan Bautista, Tabasco,
February 2, 1866.
My most Distinguished Friend: I profit by
the opportunity that presents to-day to answer three letters I have
had the pleasure of receiving from you. * * *
I received the third yesterday, containing an extract from an
official paper of the publication of the supreme decrees prolonging
the presidential term, and the trial of General Ortega. * * *
The decrees, which I have already seen, were very well received in
this State, and I will order them to be solemnly published
to-morrow. * * *
Have the goodness to remember my request to be kept informed of
everything of interest to our cause and to the President, to whom I
enclose you a letter.
Your true friend,
The Minister Don Matias Romero, Washington.
No. 2.
[Translation.—Extract.]
San Juan
Bautista,
February 2, 1866.
Most Distinguished and Respected Sir: I
have before me your two very acceptable favors of the 27th of
October and 9th of November last. * * *
Your determination in regard to General Diaz, who is now fighting in
Oaxaca, shall be duly respected by me and my subalterns. That
general is truly worthy of his former position by his effectiveness,
his valor, his honesty, and his energy, particularly as his
disappearance depended upon causes over which he had no control.
I shall take great pleasure in having the decrees sent me by Mr.
Romero published tomorrow; they have my entire approval and that of
the State. No person more worthy, or With greater hopes of the
nation, could have been trusted with the supreme command than
yourself, and at a time when a change might have caused a want of
confidence, to say the least. The trial of Mr. Ortega is an act that
gives power to the government from its principle of morality, as it
impresses upon our society and its great men the necessity of
attending to their duties, and teaches them the great impropriety of
derelictions, which they often commit, thinking to be shielded by
the elevation of their positions.
I am pleased to inform you that this State and Chiapas are quiet, and
have maintained their independence. The people are struggling
bravely in Oaxaca, and it is very probable that the republican
banner will wave from the walls of the capital in a short time.
Figuera, at the head of five hundred infantry and one hundred
cavalry, joined a section of Chiapas troops on the 6th of January,
advanced to Juchitan, where he collected a total of 1,300 men, and
attacked Tehuantepec on the 17th. He carried the enemy’s
intrenchments, but had to fall back from two well-armed forts, where
the traitors had concentrated, that opened upon him. His loss was
very slight. By express order from General Diaz he then marched to
Sierra. * * *
I conclude with an affectionate greeting, wishing you peace and
prosperity, and subscribing myself your obedient servant, &c.,
&c.,
The President of the Republic Don Benito
Juarez, Chihuahua.
