[Translation.]
Mr. Romero to Mr.
Seward
Mexican Legation in the United
States of America, Washington,
March 14, 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 received to-day from General Porfirio Diaz, commanding
the eastern military division of the Mexican republic, dated at
Atoyaquillo, State of Oaxaca, the 2d of February last—one of which is
addressed to the President of the republic, and the other to
me—reporting his late movements against the enemy, and the precarious
condition in which he finds himself for want of means.
I avail myself of the 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.]
Atoyaquillo, State of
Oaxaca,
February 2, 1866.
Very Dear Friend: I received your estimable
favor of the 18th of December to-day, and with it the communications
to which you allude; the others you mention have not reached me
yet.
I enclose you an open letter to the President; it and the one I wrote
to Mr. Godoy, of which you must have a copy, contain the chronicle
of my movements up to this time; you can refer to them.
I am sorry that you have to speak to me in such a positive way in
regard to means; it deprives me of hope for the future. You say the
loan “has not realized our hopes;” so I must say my hopes are gone,
too. As I am in want of money, also, I can do nothing. You may be
sure a very small sum now would be worth more than millions
hereafter; for my men are discouraged for want of pay, and those who
come to me I am obliged to send away, because I cannot arm them and
support them.
* * * * * * * * *
Tehuantepec was attacked by Figueroa and the Juchitecs, and I
attacked Tlaxiaco on the 6th of January: these are the only two
battles this year. There was a rising in Miahuatlan on the 24th, and
the rout of traitors at Silacayoapam on the 28th. Now a serious
expedition is coming against me, and it is to be seen how I am to
meet it. The annexed letter will give you an idea of my situation,
and show you the scanty means I have to resist the Austrians and
traitors that are coming down upon me.
I remain your affectionate and sincere friend,
The Citizen Matias Romero, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of the Mexican Republic in
Washington.
[Page 111]
No. 2.
[Translation.]
Atoyaquillo, State of
Oaxaca,
February 2, 1866.
Much Esteemed and Respected Sir: Yours of
the 10th of November last only reached me to-day, and with it the
copy of your order restoring me to my former command. It is
authenticated by our minister in Washington, and I will make known
its contents to the officers commanding in different parts of the
line.
You may imagine how much I need resources, and the great good I could
do if I had them; but, if your situation in that particular is as
bad as mine, I ask no help, only I must let you know that I need it,
and will do what I can with my ragged men and their old muskets.
I send a report of my operations, from my liberation to the first of
the year, to Mr. Godoy, and as he may have transmitted a copy to
you, I will only relate what occurred in January.
An attack on Tehuantepec aroused Juchitan from its apathy, if it did
no other good; and after what has happened, it will not soon submit
to the empire again. My agents in Mihuatlan and Ejutla aroused
themselves on the 24th of January, and sent me the Austrian traitor
officials of the former place as prisoners.
I had an encounter on the 6th with the enemy, in the suburbs of
Tlaxiaco, and obtained a few arms and horses. They lost four killed,
eight wounded, four prisoners and many missing, I threatened
Nocchistlan, too. My object was to bring the greater part of the
forces from Oaxaca to Mixteca. In this I succeeded. I then marched
to Miahuatlan, leaving a small force here, under Leiva, to prevent
the enemy from going to Oaxaca from Mixteca.
On the 28th of January a party of traitors attacked Silacayoapam, and
was repulsed by our national guards, leaving their leader dead upon
the field. Some arms were obtained by this victory.
I might now take advantage of the people’s exasperation, but I have
no means to arm and support them, and that injures my influence and
disheartens the people. You must not believe that the forces I have
are well armed; many of them only have lances, for that is the
weapon most easily and cheaply made.
I have seen the decree prolonging the presidential term, and bringing
General Gonzales Ortega to trial. The news was well received here;
only Ruiz and our enemies, who hoped for a domestic disturbance,
murmured, when they thus saw their expectations disappointed. Our
friends in Oaxaca were more enthusiastic in regard to this matter
than when they expressed their adhesion for us on another
occasion.
Continue to write to me.
Ever at your command, with sincere esteem,
Citizen President Licentiate Benito
Juarez.
