[Translation.]
Señor Romero to Mr. Seward
Mexican Legation in the United
States of America, Washington,
May 28, 1866.
Mr. Secretary: As one of the many proofs of
barbarity perpetrated by the French troops now desolating Mexico with
the pretext of restoring peace, I have the honor to send you, for the
information of the government of the United States, a copy of No. 14 of
the official paper of the government of the Mexican republic, of the
26th of April last, and desire to call your attention to the
correspondence therein published by the department of war and marine,
consisting of the following documents:
1. A communication from General A. S. Viezca, governor and military
commander of the State of Coahuila, dated the 29th of January last, and
addressed to the department mentioned, giving a report of his
expeditions, and stating that the French forces and interventionists had
burnt the towns of Matamoras and Soledad and many houses in Viezca, all
in that State, murdering fifty harmless and unarmed persons, two men
over eighty years of age and a boy of twelve.
2. Two orders signed by Maximo Campos, chief of a column of intervention
troops under the command of the French general, Brincourt, dated the 9th
and 10th of February last, and addressed to the associate judge of the
town of San Lorenzo, commanding him to burn the houses of eleven persons
who had deserted his ranks, into which they had been forced, and to turn
their families from their homes on account of the supposed crime of
their relatives.
3. The reply of General Ignacio Mejia, minister of war, to the note of
Governor Viezca, before referred to.
4. A communication from General Luis Terrazas, governor of the State of
Chihuahua, enclosing a note from the civil and military chief of the
canton of Camargo, informing him that three hundred French had burned
the town of Atotonilco and several estates, one of them the rancho de
Palomas.
5. Another communication from the same Governor Terrazas, containing the
report of the mayor of Atotonilco, on the 13th of April, giving details
of the destruction of that place by the French, who turned the
inhabitants out of their houses, and burned every one of them, thus
leaving a number of innocent families without shelter. The mayor added
that the French soon left to destroy the town of Rio Florido in the same
manner, and on quitting the ruins of Atotonilco they said nobody should
live there again, and they would return in a week and shoot any one who
had come back to live there.
[Page 156]
6. And lastly, the minister of war’s reply to the preceding
communication.
It seems to me unnecessary to comment upon these atrocities reported in
the official documents I have the honor to enclose, as they plainly show
the designs of the French in Mexico, and I have no doubt the government
of the United States will coincide in the general opinion that is
entertained.
I embrace the occasion to renew to you, Mr. Secretary, the assurance of
my most distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
No. 1.
[From the official paper of the
constitutional government of the Mexican republic,
Paso del Norte, April 22,
1866.—Translation.]
Department on war and marine–Government and military commandancy
of the state of Coahuila de Zaragoza.
The result of our victories in San Carlos and San Juan de Guadalupe
determined us to march against Parras. It was thought expedient to
draw the attention of the enemy in another direction, and with this
intent, Colonel Geronimo Treviño, who was near Monterey with all his
forces, was ordered to harass the enemy in the State of New Leon
until we could unite and attack Saltillo or Monterey. He thought it
a good idea, and prepared to start for Saltillo on the 15th of last
month.
Two hundred men were ready when news came from Cuatro Cienagas that
Colonel Jesus Gonzales Herrera had to quit Parras with three hundred
men, as General Brincourt was marching upon that place with a
division, and was soon to unite with the forces of Francisco Treviño
and Maximo Campos. So our proposed expedition upon Saltillo had to
be postponed.
Not many days had passed when we heard the French had burned
Matamoras and Soledad, and all the houses of loyal citizens in the
town of Viezca. We also heard they had murdered fifty unarmed and
innocent people, among them two men eighty years of age, and a boy
of twelve. After that Brincourt returned to Durango, leaving only
three hundred men to garrison Viezca.
Now, as Jeanningros’s forces were scattered, and as there were only
three hundred men in Monterey, we determined to take that place,
with Treviño and Naranjo to assist us.
I cannot here omit a respectful mention of the people of this
frontier. In spite of their destitution they furnished ammunition,
clothes, and provisions to the troops raised in their region, and
contributed nine thousand dollars to equip Colonel Naranjo’s forces;
they also gave aid to Colonel Zepeda’s regiment, and even went to
manufacturing powder for the brave patriots that needed it so
much.
The best soldiers in our army come from that region, and the best of
it is they are all volunteers!
I cannot close this despatch without informing you that when
Commander Victor Berlanga was returning from Guadalupe, he was
surprised by a large troop of French, but escaped with the loss of a
few provisions.
I will communicate the detail of recent events to the department as
soon as received. You will please bring this to the knowledge of the
supreme chief of the republic.
Independence and liberty!
San Benaventura, January 29,
1866.
A. S. VIEZCA.
Eduardo Muzquiz, Secretary.
The Minister of War, Paso del Norte.
No. 2.
[Translation.]
GOVERNMENT AND COMMANDANCY OF THE STATE OF COAHUILA DE
ZARAGOZA.
San José del
Barrio,
February 9, 1866.
As soon as you receive this order you will drive the families named
in the margin out of their houses, as their fathers are deserters,
and have them burnt, and if the inhabitants are refractory I will
destroy the whole place.
If any of the men make their appearance you will arrest them
instantly and send them to me.
MAXIMO CAMPOS, Commander-in-Chief.
The Associate Judge
of San Lorenzo.
The names written in the margin are, Felix Rivera, Julian Rivera,
Juan Carrillo, Encarnacion Mata, Maximo Aguero, Isac Barrientos,
Cruz Garcia, Eulogio Mesa, Pedro Auguiano, Ricardo Madril, and Bruno
Mendez.
[Page 157]
No. 3.
[Translation.]
Expeditionary column at Laguna,
San José de los Alamos,
February 10, 1866.
I have received your communication, and I am by no means pleased with
your reply to my orders to burn the houses of the deserters. What
you say is only an evasion, an excuse for disobedience to superior
orders, and it therefore becomes necessary to punish a judge
severely as a warning to others.
If my order to burn the houses, whether rented or owned, is not
obeyed by the time my forces reach the place, the whole town shall
be destroyed.
MAXIMO CAMPOS, Commander-in-Chief.
The Associate Judge
of San Lorenzo.
The two notes above are true copies of the originals, as certified by
me, at San José del Burro, on the 19th of February, 1866.
EDUARDO MUZQUIZ, Secretary.
No. 4.
[Translation.]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, OFFICE OF WAR AND MARINE—SECTION
FIRST.
Paso del Norte,
March 6, 1866.
The President of the republic has received your communication of the
29th of January last, relating to the organization of a new company,
and the opportune aid of the citizens of the State. He is much
pleased with this proof of their patriotism, and instructs me to
thank you and them for signal services.
He is indignant at the barbarous conduct of the French troops that
came from Durango, under Brincourt, to burn the houses in Laguna,
and murder many persons, among them two old men and a boy, in
revenge for their defeat at San Carlos and San Juan de Guadalupe.
Such acts are additional proofs of the negative blessings of
intervention, and of the inhuman and sanguinary method the French
leaders are adopting to terrify the people of the country since it
is impossible to conquer them.
Independence and liberty!
The Governor and Military Commander
of the State of Coahuila de Zaragoza.
No. 5.
[Translation.]
GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY COMMANDANCY OF THE STATE OF
CHIHUAHUA—WAR SECTION NO. 39.
In a communication of the 11th instant, the civil and military chief
of the canton of Camargo writes to this department as follows:
“Persons from Atotonilco report that three hundred French burnt that
place yesterday, allowing families to leave. They say other places
have been burned, Rancho de Palomas for instance, and it is not
known whether the enemy will come on this way or go back.”
I send this for your information and consequent action.
Independence and liberty!
Chihuahua, April 14, 1866.
LUIS TERRAZAS.
The Minister of War and Marine, Paso del Norte.
[Page 158]
No. 6.
[Translation.]
GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY COMMANDANCY OF THE STATE OR
CHIHUAHUA—WAR SECTION NO. 42.
In a communication of the 13th instant, the civil chief of the canton
of Camargo writes to this department as
follows:
“The mayor of Atotonilco reported to this office yesterday as
follows:
“The French, to the number of two hundred and fifty infantry and
fifty cavalry, reached this place at two o’clock day before
yesterday, and having taken possession, ordered all the houses to be
vacated, with three days’ provisions, as it would be burned next
morning, every house except the church and parsonage. At sunset a
general pillage began and continued to a late hour of the night. The
pillage was resumed next morning, and the houses were burned. The
enemy left the town in ruins this morning, and marched towards Rio
Florido, to serve that place in the same way. The only kindness to
us was sparing our lives; nobody was killed; but they threaten to
return in a week and shoot any one who dares to come back.
“I beg you to publish this notice, and put it in the hands of the
commander of the line. Communicate it also to the governor.”
I send you the above for the information of the President of the
republic.
Independence and liberty!
Chihuahua, April 17, 1866.
LUIS TERRAZAS.
The Minister of War, &c., El Paso del Norte.
No. 7.
[Translation.]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, OFFICE OF WAR AND MARINE—SECTION
FIRST.
The President of the republic has received your communication of the
17th instant, enclosing that of the civil prefect of Camargo, giving
the particulars of the burning and sacking of Atotonilco by three
hundred French of the invading array. This shows their spite against
patriots who will not give up their country’s cause. The justice of
our cause will finally punish these criminals for their inhuman acts
at Atotonilco and elsewhere; and those who have suffered from their
cruelty shall receive due reward and compensation for the
destruction of their property.
Independence and liberty!
Paso del Norte, April 23,
1866.
MEJIA.
The Governor and Military Commander
of the State of Chihuahua.
