Mr. Otterbourg to Mr. F. W. Seward
Sir: The condition of affairs, in all but the increase of suffering among the masses of the capital, remains unchanged during the 20 days which have elapsed since my despatch dated May 5th. Contributions and forced loans continue to be exacted inexorably, on the plea of the necessities of the soldiery at the ramparts, who withal receive but scanty pay or rations. The imposition of such contributions and forced loans, with painful and unceasing exertions, I have, to [Page 409] the present moment, succeeded in warding off from those under the protection of the consulate. Unusual rejoicing along the lines of the besieging forces on the afternoon of the 15th instant proclaimed some extraordinary event, and on the morning of the 16th rumors had already penetrated into the city of the fall of Queretaro on the day previous, and the surrender at discretion of Maxamilian, his generals, entire army, and material of war. This report, confirmed over and again in every manner that could be required to insure belief, has been obstinately denied by the authorities in control of the capital, and tenaciously combated by the ministerial press. It is now understood that General Diaz only awaits the junction of the whole liberal force before this city in order to commence vigorous operations with 40,000 men, should his summons to surrender on the 27th be not responded to in the affirmative within three days.
Prince Maximilian, by the general voice, is courteously treated at Queretaro by his captors, and is to be subjected to trial by a council of war as soon as the constitutional government shall have, been re-established in the capital. While the liberals have been warm in expression of their displeasure at the tone of the correspondence between the minister of Austria at Washington and the Secretary of State of the United States upon the treatment to be awarded to Maximilian, the journals of the ministry make it an occasion to reproach their opponents with subjection to the will of the American government. An article in La Union of the 10th of May so completely exposes the passions sought to be aroused against the United States as to claim the attention of the department.
The friendly relations suspended between the functionaries of the palace and the diplomatic corps have been further weakened by the withdrawal of the Spanish consul’s exequatur on the allegation of disrespectful language employed in a protest published by that official against the sale of property belonging to a Spanish subject. Inconsequence of this determined measure of the authorities, the minister from Spain, having demanded and received his passports, left the city to-day with his entire legation.
The appeals for protection addressed by foreigners of every nationality to this consulate, and the occurrences just narrated, by Spanish subjects in particular, have led me to reflect seriously upon the course I shall necessarily have to pursue should Mr. Campbell not appear in season to meet the early exigencies of his position as minister near the constitutional government of Mexico. In the conviction that the policy of the United States has never been to refuse countenance to those who rightly solicit their protection, I should feel authorized to exert officiously the influence of the consulate by serving whenever applied to as a medium of communication between foreigners and the government; and while thus acting I should endeavor to obtain security for the former, who would thus come to regard the authorities as their best protectors, and the government would accept the responsibility which naturally belonged to them, of regarding the security guaranteed alike to every nationality as a natural obligation.
Should the progress of events now promising a close to the actual contest place Mexico in possession of the constitutional government, I shall immediately advise Mr. Campbell, at New Orleans, and by the same courier inform the department at Washington.
Mr. Barksdale, of whose arrest and imprisonment the department was advised in despatch No. 29, has been acquitted of the charges brought against him and put at liberty. Mr. Dalcour, named in the same despatch, though absolved from the accusation of conspiracy, is yet a prisoner.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. F. W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.