[Translation.]
Señor Romero to Mr. Seward
Mexican Legation in the United
States of America, Washington,
July 24, 1866.
Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to send you,
for the information of the government of the United States, the copy of
a letter of the 5th instant from a reliable person in the city of
Mexico; also three extracts from La Sociedad, a paper of that city,
which were enclosed in the letter.
Attention is called in the letter to two circulars contained in the
extracts issued by the so-called prefects of Durango and Queretaro, in
regard to the enlistment of volunteers in two corps of chasseurs, which
are organizing, with others of the same kind, by the ex-Archduke
Ferdinand Maximilian, to form an army to sustain his usurpation when the
French flag is withdrawn from Mexico.
From the enclosed circulars it appears that the new army is to be
composed of Mexicans and French, the latter in greater majority as
soldiers, and especially officers. As a proof of this last assertion the
first battalion of cazadores was formed of Mexicans, and nearly half of
the eighty-first regiment of the line of the French army now in Mexico,
and most all the officers were French. Out of 28 officers in those
battalions only two are of Mexican descent, all the others being French,
as the names will show. This is seen in the list published by the
so-called minister of war of the usurper, on the 30th of June last,
contained in one of the enclosed extracts. All of them came out of the
invading army, and being promoted one grade, they now enter the army
that is to support the usurper.
These particulars confirm the report I had the honor to communicate to
you in my letter of the 21st, in regard to the late arrangements between
the Emperor Napoleon and his agent in Mexico, to sustain him in the
position where French bayonets have placed him when France has withdrawn
her flag, but not her soldiers, from Mexico.
My desire that the United States be duly informed of the most important
political events occurring in Mexico during the present crisis has
induced me to give you the information contained in the present
note.
I accept the opportunity of renewing to you, Mr. Secretary, the
assurances of my most distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
No. 1.
[Translation.]
* * * * * * * *
I send a circular for the enlistment of volunteers, published in
Durango. You will see by it that Maximilian is organizing a Mexican army, forming corps of cazadores de Mejico, by the time the French
leave, which will be soon. These corps will be composed of three or
five per cent. of Mexicans, and the rest foreigners—that is, French.
The best evidence of this is, that the main body of the first
battalion of cazadores is formed of one thousand men taken from the
81st regiment of the line of the French army. The object of this is
to retain the French army and call it Mexican. You will see by the
paper extracts I send that out of twenty-eight officers of the
cazadores, there are only two Mexicans. The French sergeants have
been promoted to subalterns, and the latter raised to captains. A
few southern rebels have been taken into the ranks.
[Page 190]
The French Colonel De Portier, known as the scourge in the city of Mexico, and as the assassin in
Michoacan, will remain as general.
Bazaine has gone inland to make these arrangements; and though it is
said he will go back to France in September with three-fourths of
the French army, there is little appearance of it at present.
* * * * * * * *
No. 2.
[Translation.]
CIVIL PREFECTURE OF DURANGO, SECTION 3, NO. 448.
Durango,
June 15, 1866.
His majesty the emperor, and his excellency Marshal Bazaine, having
determined to raise a battalion of foot cazadores, similar to those in the French army, the
prefect charges you to open an office for the enlistment of
volunteers within your district, in accordance with the regulations
for recruiting volunteers of the 1st of November, paying twenty-five
dollars to each volunteer, after conforming to articles 59 and 60 of
the law referred to.
The infantry battalion of cazadores shall be commanded by an officer
of the French battalion, and shall consist of French and Mexican
officers and soldiers. The soldiers of this body shall be governed
by the rules of the French army, paid regularly, and all their
necessities supplied. Corporal punishment shall not be
inflicted.
When not on duty they may go out of their
quarters, and leave to visit their families may be given to those
who conduct themselves properly.
When their term of service is out they are entitled to a certificate
of discharge, and shall not be forced into military service
again.
Mexican soldiers who give proofs of courage and intelligence shall be
made officers, according to merit and time of service. Those in the
rural guards giving evidence of merit may be transferred to the
battalion of cazadores with their same rank.
When the battalion is first organized intelligent Mexicans may be
made corporals and sergeants.
The recruiting flag shall be hoisted on the 1st of July over the
headquarters in this capital, Pearle street, No. 12.
The above I communicate to you by order of the prefect, to be put in
execution, and you are hereby ordered to have the same made
public.
LADISLAO LOPEZ NEGRETE, Secretary General
of the Prefecture.
Captain Manuel Fernandez, Acting Military Commander.
No. 3.
[Translation.]
In regard to the organization of Mexican forces, and the formation of
the second battalion of cazadores, the Esperanza of Queretaro
says:
“By order of the civil prefect we insert the following circular,
directed to the distric officials, to protect and encourage the
enlistment of soldiers for that distinguished corps We have little
to add to what is said in the circular about the prefect’s views
according with those of the emperor of giving power and influence to
the Mexican army. Every citizen, whatever his condition, should aid
in this good work, and to show him how to do it, we call his
particular attention to the circular.
“The prefect has done well to have a large quantity printed and
published, and extensively distributed throughout the country.”
Here is the circular to which the Queretaro paper refers:
“CIVIL PREFECTURE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF QUERETARO.
“Circular.
“June 20, 1866.
“By order of his majesty’s government, the second battalion of cazadores de Mejico is organizing in this
city, to form the new permanent army of Mexico, with others forming
in different localities, conforming in every way to the French
army.
[Page 191]
“For this purpose a recruiting office is established in this city, at
the San Francisco barracks, where all volunteers will be received
every day, from half past eight to half past nine in the
morning.
“The term of volunteer service is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 years.
“They will be well treated and attended to according to the
regulations of the French army, supplied with clothing, shoes, food,
bedding, &c., &c., and shall have the same pay as the
zouaves.
“The enlisting volunteer must have these qualifications:
“1. Age between eighteen and thirty-five years.
“2. Health, good, and of ordinary size.
“3. Condition, single, or widower without children.
“4. Conduct orderly, and convicted of no infamous punishment.
“His majesty’s government hopes to restore the Mexican army to its
former splendor, when the country was prosperous. Constituted in the
proper manner, with the aid of the loyal sons of the nation, and
those who adopt the noble profession of arms, it will become in a
short time a great, moral, and brave army, a worthy rival of armies
of the most civilized nations, because its constituent basis will be
the French army, acknowledged over all the globe to be the best in
organization, instruction, and discipline.
“His majesty’s government and its agents desire to elevate the
Mexican soldier, to inspire him with a noble and just pride, to make
him understand that he is no longer a war machine, but a citizen of
the most honorable class in the country; while society will confess
that he merits all its sympathy and care, as an integral portion of
the power that constitutes the firmest support of social order.
“The officers, sergeants, and corporals of the second battalion of
cazadores are selected from Mexicans and French. Mr. Deville
Chabrol, its commander, is worthy of his position, and knows how to
treat a soldier.
“I send you this circular by order of the civil prefect. You will
have it distributed extensively among the citizens who can
appreciate its importance, and encourage them by all lawful means to
enlist.
“I enclose a blank certifiate to be given to those who wish to
enlist, so they may appear at once before the administrative council
at the San Francisco barracks, under the conditions expressed in
paragraph five of this circular.
“The prefect relies upon your zeal and intelligence for the proper
execution of this order.”
“J. ANTONIO SEPTIEN, “Acting Secretary
General.
“The Sub-prefect of
the District of ———,” &c.
The Esperanza continues:
“We take much pleasure in informing the public that the second
battalion of cazadores is fast filling up with the best men in the
country, both Mexicans and French, who are on excellent terms; and
when others see how well those enlisted are treated, the ranks will
soon be filled in spite of predictions to the contrary.
“Why cannot we Mexicans form an army worthy of the name, such as we
had in former times, free from the demoralization of revolutionary
corruption?”
No. 4.
[Translation.]
WAR DEPARTMENT.
LIST OF OFFICIAL COMMISSIONS GRANTED THE PAST MONTH FOR
THE NEWLY ORGANIZED BATTALIONS.
Federico Mosso, lieutenant first battalion; Manuel Ornelas,
lieutenant first battalion; Amado Alfredo Bourlon, second lieutenant
second battalion; Pedro Marcelo Casserrane, second lieutenant second
battalion; Jose Enrique Champelon, second lieutenant second
battalion; Francisco Petavy, second lieutenant second battalion;
Juan Millia, second lieutenant second battalion; Luis Adrian
Falconnet, second lieutenant second battalion; Esteban Desiderio
Falavantour, second lieutenant second battalion; Enrique Francisco
Alejandro Morrille, second lieutenant second battalion; Isidoro Luis
Tramblay, second lieutenant second battalion; Juan Eugenio Connay,
second lieutenant fourth battalion; Juan José Eugenio Mizar, second
lieutenant fourth battalion; Juan Chidel, second lieutenant fifth
battalion; Claudio Augusto Clement, second lieutenant fifth
battalion; Javier Sorobaine, second lieutenant fifth battalion;
Hipolito Moynier, captain in the seventh battalion; Jorge Francisco
Burwell, captain in the seventh battalion; Nicolas
[Page 192]
Schmitt, captain in the eighth
battalion; Julio Coray, second lieutenant eighth battalion; Benjamin
Hedon, second lieutenant eighth battalion; Luis Eugenio Francomun,
second lieutenant eighth battalion; Florencio Luis Aynar, second
lieutenant eighth battalion; Angel Bonbain Santori, second
lieutenant eighth battalion; Juan José Maria Certain, second
lieutenant eighth battalion; Luis E Fernando Francisco Champreux,
second lieutenant eighth battalion cazadores; Fernando Carlos
Chervillon y Lois, second lieutenant eighth battalion cazadores.
J. M. MARQUEZ, Acting Secretary of
War.
Mexico, June 30,
1866.
