Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Thirty-ninth Congress, Part III
Señor Romero to Mr. Seward
Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to transmit to you, for the information of the government of the United States, copies of a circular which I have had printed in New York, containing fragments of various letters taken from the French and Belgian soldiers who occupied Monterey and Saltillo in April last. The originals were sent to me by General Escobedo, the 27th of May, with his communication from Linares, published in the beginning of the circular, and another letter from Manuel Gomez, General Escobedo’s secretary, dated Rio Blanco, April 26, giving many important particulars.
Though the intercepted letters give very inexact accounts of the situation, enough is said in them to show that the French soldiers are weary of the unjust war their government is forcing them to make on Mexico, without aim or object. They do not believe the so-called empire of the usurper Maximilian can be [Page 179] established without a considerable re-enforcement of French forces; they ridicule the official declarations of the French government that peace is restored in Mexico, and many of them contend that the intervention is unjust.
The annexed circular contains only the most noted passages of the principal of those letters.
I am pleased to have the opportunity of renewing to you, Mr. Secretary, the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
French intervention in Mexico, as seen by their own partisans.
Very Dear Sir: Douay’s first expedition is at an end, with no damage but extensive robberies, called fines, in the places he occupied.
Houses were robbed in Rio Blanco, Galeana, and Iturbide, and a few innocent people shot by the bandit Dupin. Jeaningros retreated in double-quick, taking the shortest cuts, as soon as he heard of my approach. Yet we harassed him considerably, and many of his men deserted, for seventeen French and Belgians joined one of my officers.
The invading army is entirely demoralized, while I am pleased to see confidence and enthusiasm increased on our side. I have received some arms I bargained for, and hope soon to receive the rest, with plenty of ammunition; so that, with these and what you can send me, this army corps will soon be in a condition to attack the strongholds of the interior, with prospects of success.
My hard marches and occasional indisposition have hitherto prevented me from sending the important original letters which I now enclose. I think it would be well to print the most interesting of them, and put them in reach of the French people, who unanimously disapprove the intervention we are now opposing.
All the news we have from the interior is good. Public spirit is rising everywhere, and affection for the new empire is daily decreasing.
The clergy are disheartened because they do not find Maximilian to be the man they expected. The landed proprietors and merchants can do nothing, not even keep what they have; and, as they have no surety for peace, they want a change.
Finally, the traitors are disgusted with the frequent rebuffs of the French, and everything; tends to exasperate the people against intervention and the abortive empire of Maximilian.
We have great hopes of success, and if we only had money it would soon be certain, and our triumph would be complete.
I am pleased to sign myself your friend and servant,
Citizen Matias Romero, in Washington.
[Translation.]
Very Dear Sir: General Escobedo sent you some original letters of chiefs, officers, and soldiers of the invading army, intercepted by our forces. Thinking it would be well to let them be seen by the French people, who acknowledge the justice of our cause, and censure Napoleon’s obstinacy in meddling with our affairs, I have thought proper to make some observations, which may have some importance, as coming from witnesses of the facts.
The brave men who are defending their country suffer so many privations that, if their cause were not so holy, I am sure many of them would give up in despair. Our enemies have all the ports and many of the chief towns; so our means are reduced to the smallest scale. Our soldiers have scarcely the necessaries of life, yet they always meet the enemy bravely, badly armed as they are, and worse clad, and suffering from exposure and hunger. The necessary continued action does not permit time to drill them and give them the proper discipline, whereas the enemy have all they want and are punctually paid; so it is not strange that masses of men superior to the French in numbers (though not as great as they represent it) give up or avoid a fight.
I am sure General Escobedo’s army corps is better supplied, as we have only white cotton pants and sandals for our men. They have just made a campaign that nobody would credit who had not seen it. On the 23d, near Soledad, we learned that Dupin was coming with four hundred cavalry and two hundred infantry, with two pieces of artillery; and though we [Page 180] were waiting for aid from Matehuala, General Espinosa determined to attack them with four hundred infantry and five hundred cavalry, in conjunction with General Aureliano Rivera. On the 23d, at five in the morning, after eating pinole without bread or cakes, our infantry marched out, and suffered for water till three o’clock, when they came in sight of the enemy. This was a company of considerable reputation, whose chief was very haughty. He did not wait for us, but began the attack with such boldness and confidence that his cavalry nearly surrounded our line; but, not frightened, we stood our ground for the first charge, and then rushed on them, repulsing them with considerable loss. I firmly believe that if night had not supervened their rout would have been complete; but it would have been very imprudent in us to continue the fight in the dark. General Espinosa, fearing the enemy might be re-enforced, ordered a retreat, which was effected in good order; and our fatigued men had to march back to Soledad, where they got the first meal they had eaten that day.
To march twenty-five leagues without eating for forty hours, fighting with an enemy well armed, equipped, and fed, is no ordinary labor, and could not be imitated by the haughty French. Yesterday the infantry returned to this place, twelve leagues, because there was no resting place at Soledad.
The French letters, as you may imagine, are full of exaggerations and foolish boasts: but they all agree in the idea that there is no peace in Mexico, and intervention cannot hold out without more French troops; and some confess that intervention is unjust and inexcusable. They are generally dissatisfied; they think there is no glory, and certainly no profit, in the campaign; and they are beginning to despair of the empire, because it is neither honest nor just.
The rout of three French companies on the first at Santa Isabel, near Parras, by a cavalry brigade of this army corps under General Treviño, with some Coahuila forces, has caused many absurd stories, which you will see in the letters. Without mentioning the 700 traitors that fought with the 200 French, they want to make the world believe that they alone fought against four or five thousand of our men. Their official report is very far from true; but you will find the whole truth in General Escobedo’s report. When they take one of us prisoner, which is not very often, they spare his life and boast of it, while we have more than seventy French prisoners and spare them; yet we are called bandits and assassins. Here where I am now writing I am looking on the ruins of four of the best houses in the town, burned by the French last December because they belonged to persons in our army. The town was sacked, and few houses, are left in which they did not destroy the furniture. Thus they make war on us, and with the odious decree of the 3d of October they cry to Heaven, calling us barbarians incapable of self-government, because we take food and horses where we can find them, and impose loans from necessity and stick to a cause as sacred as our own existence.
The citizens of Mexico had better perish than give up the independence of their country.
We have no news from the interior; but the papers in the capital announce that each day brings trouble to the empire; rebellions spring up on every side, and the clergy no longer offer the support they promised. Now that there is so much trouble in the States of Ta maulipas, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and San Luis, the centre will have time to rest, and our brothers can recover their accustomed strength.
We are united and compact. The presidential question passed without disturbance, and we continue to acknowledge the government of Señor Juarez. It is the same in the interior; and the liberal newspapers, even in towns held by the empire, defend our cause. We need arms, particularly sabres for cavalry. It is impossible for us, armed only with a rifle or musket, to contend with the French, Austrian, or traitor cavalry, all well armed, mounted, and equipped; yet we do not shun battle, and have often whipped them in fair fight. If you can send some of these articles to this army corps it will give a new impulse to the national cause.
I hope you will consider this letter as the expression of a Mexican who loves his country, and wishes, when it is spoken of in Europe, that the truth may be known, so that good men may not be deceived by persons like Forey, who think they know a country they have seen in arms and examined from camps.
I remain, Mr. Romero, your very attentive and humble servant,
Minister Don Matias Romero.
[Translation.]
Mr. Malglaive, a French officer, writes to a friend, whom he addresses as “My dear Jules,” a letter, dated Monterey, 13th of March last, containing these passages:
“We are running like crazy people after an enemy that can’t be caught. I don’t think they have the facts in France; I fear not; they would change public opinion.
“If there is any good sense in the Mississippi country, there is something bad there, too. The capture of Bagdad by their regiments frightened them, and now they are as gentle as lambs. Yet it was a good time for war. The indirect encouragement they give to the border [Page 181] bands only prolongs an absurd contest that will ruin the country and be fatal to us. The situation is the same; we do not advance towards peace.
“If the Emperor will not withdraw his forces till the present empire is firmly established, he will have to keep them here for twenty or thirty years!”
The same officer, in another letter from Monterey, of the 23d of the same month, says:
“The merchants of Tampico have lost 500,000 dollars through the second commander, who could not protect a convoy he persuaded the traders to accept and organize. The people are becoming discouraged, even the best disposed, because, after persuading them to defend themselves, we desert them and leave them at the mercy of bands that assemble to crush them, It is said Maximilian declared he was beloved by his people, and had no need of assistance. I think he is mistaken; but maybe he is wiser than many who think him a fool, and the number is large. He says: ‘Peace is firm, and the government founded upon the wishes of the people is strengthening.’ A man must be very impudent to tell such lies to a nation as is done every month through the Moniteur to France. We did wrong to come here; we should have declared our wishes; but the wine is drawn and we must drink it; we are compelled to accept the situation.
“Except Vera Cruz, which communicates with the interior, all the other ports are blockaded by rebels, and the revenues are lessened so much. If you have money to invest do not put it in Mexican loans, public or private.
“If you have friends who wish to emigrate, dissuade them from these shores, falsely said to be covered with golden sands.”
Another French officer, who does not sign his name, but writes on paper stamped A. R., from Monterey the 17th of March, speaking of Commander Briant’s check at Parras, says:
“Seven officers were killed, and one prisoner with twenty men. Thanks to Treviño they have not been shot; and yet, from the way we behave towards them, they ought to have been.
“If our prisoners continue to be treated as they have been for some time back, it will give us a good lesson of clemency. But we dread it almost as much as the execution of our comrades.
“This is a sad war, a distressed country. Maximilian’s arrival has made intervention impossible, and his policy is detested everywhere, by all parties.”
On the 23d he said:
“Supporting a stupid cause, not to the glory of the country nor for the peace of the homestead, without the inspiration of the sacred fire of a noble cause, I see the years roll on. I will not write much; but let me tell you, both the emperor and we are disappointed. Intervention will fail; there is no longer any confidence; the empire has no faithful partisans; the clerical party is hostile, and the liberal party is making open war upon it, or betrays it. In a few years Maximilian the adventurer will return to Miramar to enjoy the luxury of his gains in Mexico. It is French money he will be spending, for the French treasury pays all expenses here, civil as well as military, Belgians and Austrians.
“Poor France! How they rob you of your treasure and spill your blood! Maximilian only reigns where his armies are stationed; there are some cities that have changed governors three or four times in one year.”
Mr. G. Colné, a French officer, writes from Monterey the 24th, to a certain Mr. Bernard:
“Affairs could not be in a worse condition than they are at present; all is anarchy; everything totters and tumbles on all sides. Many of our pretended friends are false, and of late fortune has gone against us. We take no prisoners now, and the wounded are despatched; it is a war of savages, unworthy of Europeans. The Belgians with us are dissatisfied, and want to return by the first of September. Such is the aspect of military affairs, not to mention Americans and niggers who often join the rebel bands, to the number of two or three thousand, and sometimes more. Such is our condition after four years shooting and murdering in every direction. That will show the affection the natives have for us.
“As to civil affairs, there are no civilians but those who have all to gain and nothing to lose by accepting service under the tottering empire. The treasury is empty; there is not a city that can pay its own expenses; and yet the custom-houses charge high rates for everything, making living very expensive.
“In conclusion, the general opinion is, among French as well as foreigners of all nations, that we are in a desperate situation, which is growing worse every day; and after suffering incredibly and spending millions we will have nothing to show for it.”
Another officer, whose signature seems to be Duley, sends this short missive to his mother:
“Monterey, March 25, 1866
“Dear Mother: I have returned to Monterey after an expedition of one month into the country. Affairs are no better. Three companies of our regiment were entirely destroyed in a fight with the liberals, and yet the French government persists in declaring the country at peace. I am in good health, and wish you the same.”
[Translation.]
“To General Douay, “Commander of the First Division, Saltillo:
(After a long talk about wine and brandy intended for the general’s table, the letter continues thus:)
“Affairs are becoming more and more pleasant in Mexico, I have charge of the Belgians and Austrians, the greatest spendthrifts in the world. There is something in the public horizon, and I think it will lead to Maximilian’s departure. If we retire the German power is lost. Such is the reward of four years of war and labor. I have nothing more to say; but if I could have an interview with you I could tell something that would astonish you.
“I repeat the assurance, dear general, of my most distinguished consideration.
“TISSEROT,” Intendent for two months and fourteen days.”
[Translation.]
“To Commander Seigland,
“Aide-de-camp of General Douay:
* * * * * * * * * *
“You tell me that the general was displeased because his excellency did not let the base calumnies against him go unnoticed. It is certain that the general’s reputation would not have suffered more by it in the eyes of the Emperor than in the opinion of the marshal.
* * * * * * * * * *
“It would be hard to discover the origin of the information, and the marshal says it would be giving too much importance to the report to investigate its source. We heard it through the chief of police, who is not to be found, but who thought it well to tell us of it before communicating it to the Emperor’s cabinet. That is what I had to communicate. Now I must tell you confidentially something to be known only entre nous: I don’t admire the young people you have around you. They are all agreeable, even those without epaulets, and I should not dislike them; but they are too young, and youth cannot have sense. They think their general must coincide with them in opinion, and they write to France stories that are perfectly miraculous. I know General Douay’s upright and loyal character too well to attribute to him the nonsense that is circulated in the French capital, and which comes back to me in the strangest manner possible.