I also send you a copy of a letter signed by a Mr. Thomas A. Dwyer, of
San Antonio, Texas, and dated the 12th ultimo.
Lewis D. Campbell, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Bennet to Mr. Seward
New York,
February 21, 1867.
Sir: I have the honor of addressing you for
the purpose of directing your attention to a decree purporting to
have been issued by President Juarez in Mexico, particulars of which
were published in the New York Herald of Saturday last, and copy of
which I now enclose.
This decree substantially is directed against foreigners of all
denominations doing a retail business in the various cities of
Mexico, and doubtless is promulgated for the purpose of suppressing
the numerous French trading establishments established during the
French occupation. As it is also equally applicable to those
establishments owned by American citizens, who have always looked to
their own government for due protection in their rights and
privileges, it is more than probable, taking into consideration the
feeling at present prevalent throughout the country, that unless
immediate measures be taken for the purpose of checking such
proceedings, the decree will be duly enforced against them also, as
foreigners and aliens.
Understanding our commercial treaty made with President Juarez to
guarantee us in the same rights and privileges as those granted to
Mexican citizens, many American merchants have invested their
capital in commercial enterprises in Mexico on a scale of magnitude
too vast to be suddenly withdrawn, and we naturally turn to a
representative of our own government, to whom we can appeal on the
spot for protection, in case of outrage or injustice.
I would respectfully ask, to whom can we now appeal? Minister
Campbell, we understand, is still in New Orleans, from whence he
could easily reach the headquarters of President Juarez, either by
way of Tampico or Vera Cruz; and his presence at that point is more
than imperatively demanded at the present crisis for the due
protection of American interests, both political and commercial.
It is far from my intention to presume to suggest the proper course
for you to pursue in this exigency, as from your exalted position
you are doubtless better able to judge of the political necessities
of the situation; still, my thorough knowledge of the country and
people teaches me to anticipate trouble, and my establishments in
the city of Mexico, Guanajuato, and other cities, I am assured, are
at any time liable to be suppressed under the new decree, with very
little probability of redress either from the government of Juarez
or any other Mexican government. I may here state that, during the
last occupation of the city of Mexico by President Juarez, his
government was principally supported by forced loans, rigorously
exacted, and taking into consideration the present impossibility of
replenishing his impoverished exchequer by means of duties collected
at the custom-houses, it is more than probable that similar means of
raising money for immediate and pressing emergencies will again be
resorted to.
At the present time American merchants are enduring the gross
injustice of being charged double duties on their goods on arrival
at Mexican ports, the French, in possession of the custom-house at
Vera Cruz, insisting on collecting the duties, the same goods on
removal into the interior being again charged the full duties by the
Mexican authorities. This is done by the present government, but we
may rest assured that President Juarez will be no more willing than
those now in power to recognize the compulsatory duties paid to the
French.
Had we a powerful minister at this time at the headquarters of
President Juarez these things would be impossible, or could not be
of long continuance, and American merchants would feel more secure
than they can do at present in pursuing their accustomed
avocations.
In this exigency, when Mexican politicians of all parties and
speculators of all grades are seeking to further their own
particular views in Washington, the interests of the principal
parties concerned, namely, the merchants, are liable to be
overlooked or neglected.
These merchants should be heard, and many of them, from their own
personal experience and the correctness of their own private advice,
are capable and would be very willing to communicate much
information of a valuable character regarding the present state and
future prospects of Mexico, and not easily to be obtained elsewhere.
Meanwhile they are anxiously inquiring now why Minister Campbell is
not at his post, in this the time of their utmost need.
With much respect, I am your very obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Untitled]
The Idea Liberal, the organ of Juarez in Zacapoaxtla, publishes
the following alleged decree of Juarez:
BENITO JUAREZ, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF
MEXICO.
To all the people: Know ye:
Article 1. All the powers of Europe
having recognized the government of the usurper styled imperial,
all relations between the republic of Mexico and the aforesaid
powers are hereby terminated.
Art. 2. Such nations as desire to renew
their relations with the republic must name new ministers to
negotiate new treaties conformable with the interests of this
republic.
Art. 3. All retail commerce exercised
by strangers in the country must cease.
Mr. Dwyer to Mr. Seward
San Antonio, Texas,
February 12, 1867.
Sir: Respectfully I beg to suggest that
Americans doing business in Mexico should be exempted from forced
loans, which have proved ruinous to our country people in Mexico.
Secure for us such exemption and American merchants will convert a
hazardous into a secure and most profitable business.
The moral support of the United States restores republicanism and
libera rule to Mexico, with rapid steps, and some special return is
due from Mexico. Let it take the form of American citizenship
securing our merchants from forced loans in Mexico, and a great
commercial advantage will be gained.
I am, sir, respectfully yours,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
