[Extract.]
Mr. Otterbourg to Mr. Seward.
No. 8.]
Consulate of the United States of
America,
City of Mexico,
January 29, 1867.
Sir: General Porfirio Diaz’s secretary is here,
authorized to enter into an arrangement with Marshal Bazaine which shall
facilitate the occupation of Puebla and Mexico by the liberal forces. He
offers guarantees for the life and property both of foreigners and
Mexicans; assurance against persecution on account of political opinion
and judgment, by any process except trial by law, according to the
constitution of 1857. This officer mentioned to me this morning that he
would await Bazaine’s decision until the 2d of next month. The marshal
would readily come to an arrangement with General Diaz, but up to the
present moment has done nothing, from the restraint imposed by
Maximilian’s presence, who still retains the crown, under his compromise
with the church party and motives of revenge against the French. The
French, on their part, neglect no measure by which they hope to
influence Maximilian’s abdication. To this end has been published a
circular to the French military in the Mexican service, (Enclosure No.
1,) and the provisions of article 21 of the Code Napoleon, (Enclosure
No. 2,) advising French subjects of the consequences to which service
under a foreign flag exposes them. From good authority, however, I am
informed, that instructions under date of January 10th were received
from Paris not to coerce Maximilian in any manner, but to expedite as
much as possible the evacuation of Mexican territory. My own opinion, as
I have been led to form it, is that the archduke will, before the French
abandon Mexico
[Page 352]
altogether,
decide to leave the throne and the country. The intention is just now to
withdraw the rear guard of the French army from the capital between the
4th and 6th of the next month, the circumstance of a kind of tacit
armistice between the liberal and French forces being most favorable to
that gradual retirement of the latter.
Great fear is entertained on account of the city in case that a peaceful
occupation by the liberal troops can not be effected, and under the
influence of this alarm French citizens are organizing and secretly
arming themselves. I have invited the American residents here to the
consulate, advising them not to join any organizations which might
compromise their neutrality. All of them have registered their names and
residences, in readiness to respond to my call in case of emergency. I
can of course not decide to-day what measures events may compel me to
take, in case the fears entertained should be verified. I will, under
all conditions, endeavor to act with prudence, and at the same time be
careful not to compromise the honor of our flag.
Enclosures Nos. 3 and 4 are an anonymous communication, and the remedy
for the abuses complained of dictated by his Majesty the Emperor. They
illustrate to the full extent the little real power exercised by
Maximilian, and what change has been wrought in official administration
by the imperial regime during four years of existence in Mexico.
* * * * * * * *
The forced loan imposed by the finance minister to the amount of
$1,000,000, called for by the exigencies of the treasury, has produced
the net result of $49,000.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
MARCUS OTTERBOURG, U. S. Consul in charge of
United States Legation.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Communications of Marshal
Bazaine.
The journals of San Luis and Zacatecas bring us the following:
“EXPEDITIONARY CORPS OP MEXICO.—HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OP THE STAFF,
NO. 1354.—THIRD CABINET CIRCULAR TO ALL MEXICAN CORPS, RELATIVE TO
THE MILITARY OF FRENCH NATIONALITY.—CIRCULAR.
“The marshal, commander-in-chief, has received from Paris a
telegraphic despatch, dated 13th of the present month, according to
which the intention of the French government is to make, not only
the foreign legion, but also all the military of French nationality
return to France, who having been before authorized to enlist in the
service of the Mexican government, actually form a part of the
different corps of the Mexican army. Notwithstanding, such of the
military who have a knowledge of the foregoing disposition and may
desire to continue in the service of Mexico, are authorized to do
so, and to remain in consequence in the Mexican corps to which they
actually pertain.
“As repects the French, whatever be their present rank in the Mexican
army, officers, subalterns, or soldiers, who manifest a wish not to
continue in the service of Mexico, those who are still connected
with the French corps will be placed in the foreign legion, where
they shall again obtain their former grades, and the others shall
return to their native country at the expense of the French
government.
“In consequence, in each Mexican corps a list will be made out of air
the French who may serve in it, and this list will be remitted to
the marshal commander-in-chief, upon each one of such military
inscribing after his name the course he voluntarily takes, be it to
remain or not in the Mexican service; the military who may adopt the
first course shall join the nearest French detachment on the first
secure occasion that offers.
“BAZAINE, “The Marshal
Commander-in-chief.
“Copy:
“A. De ASMONT, “The General-in-chief of the Department of
Staff.”
[Page 353]
“Expeditionary Corps of Mexico.–Headquarters department of the
staff, No 1351– Third Cabinet.–Relative to the French military in
the service of the Mexican army.
Mexico,
December 19, 1866.
“Dear General: A telegraphic despatch of
the 13th instant, which I have just received from Paris, informs me
that it is the intention of the French government to cause not only
the foreign legion, but likewise all the military of French
nationality to return to France, who, having been authorized to
enlist in the service of the Mexican government, actually form a
part of the corps of the Mexican army; nevertheless, those who with
a knowledge of the foregoing may desire to continue in the service
of Mexico are authorized to do so, and to remain therein in their
actual position.
“In compliance with this order of my government, I give immediate
instructions to the battalions of chasseurs and the companies of
gendarmes, in order that the French military, be their grade what it
may, may adopt the course which suits them, and in order that those
who desire to follow the French flag may do so without delay on
addressing themselves to the French garrisons. I notify, at the same
time, his excellency the minister of war of Mexico, of the means
which I take respecting this measure. But independently of the corps
of chasseurs and gendarmes, which contain the majority of the French
engaged in the Mexican service, there exist moreover in the Mexican
army French subalterns employed as officers, and a certain number of
soldiers, likewise French, who accompany the former as
orderlies.
“It is equally necessary that these two classes of military, of whose
actual position to some extent I am ignorant, be advised of the
intentions of the French government, and be enabled to join the
expeditionary corps if they desire it.
“I request you to contribute to this object by prescribing to the
commanders of the corps under your orders, to communicate to all the
French of whatever grade the accompanying circular, designed to
acquaint them with the state of matters which I have just set forth;
and exact the determination which they shall adopt.
“I implore you furthermore, to give your orders to the effect that
each chief shall remit me a list of all the French who serve in his
corps, noting after each name whether the individual decides to
serve or not in the Mexican army. Those who determine to follow the
French flag will take the shortest road to Queretaro, and will
continue to advise me of their being on the way.
“All these measures are indispensable on account of the report which
I have to make to my government.
“Dear general, I hope with due appreciation of the urgent and
indispensable nature of these measures, you will contribute to their
execution in the most prompt and efficacious manner.
“Accept, dear general, the assurances of my high consideration.
“BAZAINE,” “The Marshal in
Chief.
“General Mejia, “Commander of the Third Corps, San Luis Potosi.”
[Translation from the En Nouvelle of
January 29,
1867.]
[Untitled]
The marshal reminds the French in Mexico of the provisions of the
21st article of the Code Napoleon, conceived in the following
terms:
“The Frenchman who without authority of the government enters foreign
military service, or connects himself with a foreign military
organization, shall lose his character as a Frenchman. He shall not
return to France without permission of the government, or regain his
status as a Frenchman, except on compliance with the conditions
imposed on strangers becoming citizens; all without exemption from
the penalties declared by the criminal law against Frenchmen who
have borne or may bear arms against their native country.”
[From the Diario del
Imperio.—Translation.]
Liquidation of the bills of the civil list.
An anonymous document has been circulated in this capital, in which
are published different complaints of the failure of payment to
various creditors of the civil list.
The impression was presented to his Majesty by a person of the
imperial house, and its contents have caused him the greatest
surprise and disgust, for which his Majesty ordered immediately that
a commission should be charged with the liquidation of the
outstanding debts, and enter into an investigation of the conduct of
the persons intrusted with the administration of the business of the
imperial house.
[Page 354]
The Emperor of has placed at the disposal of the commission all his
plate, that with its products they may pay the debts of the civil
list, whose estimate the state, on account of its circumstances, has
not been able to cover. Besides, his Majesty has provided that if
this measure be not sufficient to meet the debt pending, his private
property shall be disposed of to the extent necessary, in order that
all creditors might be paid, since his Majesty does not wish to
avoid any sacrifice in favor of the parties alluded to in the
complaint.
The commission, by order of his Majesty, is actually engaged in the
fulfilment of the generous determination of the Emperor, as well for
effecting the payment as for investigating all kinds of abuses
committed at any time and by any class of persons.
The anonymous communication to which we refer is inserted as follows
by mandate of his Majesty:
“One proof more of the little
confidence which exists among themselves.
“It has reached our knowledge that drafts upon the custom-house of
Vera Cruz were given to several of our poor citizens; not only were
they compelled to disburse from their own capital to obtain the
drafts—for instance he to whom $800 were due had to deliver into the
intendency $200, and received in paper (bad) an order for $1,000, so
that we did not know a good method, not only of not paying what one
owes, (notice to speculators in your neighbor’s property,) but of
getting money out of one’s creditors. Have you ever seen justice in
equity? A private individual, never mind what he be, draws or
accepts a draft on maturity which if not paid is protested, and the
tribunals compel him to make payment, selling for the poor devil who
falls into their clutches all perhaps that constitutes his fortune.
But how two weights and two measures? Does the intendent of the
civil list not know this principle of sound and good morality? Does
the Emperor know nothing of this? Is he ignorant, perchance, that
money is due to a multitude of persons of all classes who have
served him, some with their liberal professions, others with the
sweat of their brow, and in short even to the poor Indian, vender of
fowls, butter, fruit and vegetables?
“Hundreds of people can prove it. How is it that the Emperor is so
badly served and his orders disobeyed, when the signature of the
under secretary is attached to the bills? How do they in the
custom-house at Vera Cruz, which is in the hands of (Messrs.) the
French, refuse to and discredit a government they pretend to
sustain? As we above said, they are discredited among themselves as
the wolf and the lamb.
“Let him who can, understand. Nor is this all. These unhappy
creditors are received by these despots in the most brutal manner;
deceived and insulted as it is not possible to be believed of
persons unworthy of these offices of trust.
“Who knows but what the heart of the unhappy artisan, who suffers
such insults, be more gentle and patriotic than is believed of him?
All these men raised one universal cry, for in the gloomiest period
of the nation the journeyman has been always paid, whose labor is
the only honest means of living for himself, and for many poor
beings who surround the upright artisan. We await the result, and if
this has no effect we shall enter into particulars, which will not
do much honor to the imperial house.”
[From the Diario del
Imperio.—Translation.]
Sale.
By order of his Majesty the Emperor, there will take place on the
29th, 30th, and 31 st of the present month the sale of several
carriages, horses, mules, and other articles appertaining to the
service of the court.
Persons interested in purchasing can apply to the subscribers, in
charge of the sale.
The objects can be seen, in the palace at Mexico, every day from 8
o’clock in the morning until 4 in the afternoon, on application to
the porter of the palace.
PEDRO C. NEGRETE.
COL. SHAFFER, Commandant
Pradillo.
Mexico,
January 22, 1867.
