Mr. Otterbourg to Mr. F. W. Seward
Sir: Since the occupation of this capital, embraced in the military division under his command, General Porfirio Diaz has administered affairs with moderation and prudence. His acts, in expectation of the President and his cabinet, who are announced to arrive tomorrow, have been confined chiefly to the preservation of order and the acquirement of means for the support of his army, which stood greatly in need of everything necessary to the soldier.
[Page 435]The payment of a voluntary loan, furnished through my intervention, to meet the most pressing wants of the army, as communicated to the department in despatch No. 35, has been, I am enabled to say, provided for in a manner satisfactory to the contributors.
A general and deep anxiety has displaced the excitement consequent on the trial and execution of Maximilian, and the impression caused by the news of this tragic event in the United States is eagerly looked for. The disquietude proceeds from a persuasion that Mexico, while not satisfactorily assured of the course which the United States might pursue, cannot be secure from an intervention of the combined European powers, whose attempts to revenge Maximilian’s death she does not fear, provided her powerful neighbor and sister republic lends them no support by her countenance or action.
To my doubts as to the propriety, in a political point of view, of Maximilian’s execution, the authorities, by whom the opinion had been elicited, responded that, on mature deliberation, the government had refused, from reasons of policy, to pardon the archduke and remand him to Austria, for the conservative, imperial party were giving, in their speeches and writings, every evidence of a determination never during that prince’s life to cease from advocating his claims to the crown of Mexico, and from disturbing the quiet of the country by agitating his return.
The minor press, before the reappearance of periodicals of tone and standing, indulged in intemperate remarks upon the theme of Minister Campbell’s letter relating to the same all-absorbing subject. Their articles, addressed to sustain the enthusiasm and action of the party which claims to have freed their native land from a foreign invasion, have been disavowed and rebuked by all reflecting and respectable liberals.
The Austrians who, in compliance with the terms of a convention (enclosure No. 1) with General Diaz, locked themselves in the palace on the night of the 20th June, were, to the number of 700, sent under escort to Puebla. It has been communicated to me by letter since their departure that the conditions entered into have not been fulfilled by the Mexican officers charged to place them in Vera Cruz. In other respects the foreign prisoners have been shown every kindness and consideration by those to whom their safety and conveyance were committed; and I do not doubt that every stipulation will be strictly complied with, to the satisfaction of all parties to the convention.
The French minister has been making preparations to leave the country, accompanied by other European representatives, and, designing to take with him, at the expense of his government, all French subjects who might be desirous of abandoning Mexico, applied to General Diaz to provide the due security on the roads. The government at San Luis replied, as I learn, to General Diaz’s inquiry upon this application, that the matter would be determined on its arrival at the capital. In a conversation with me upon the subject, General Diaz expressed his regrets that the application had been made to him, since he never, in the absence of orders to that effect, would interpose any obstacles to Mr. Dano’s departure, but that, as the reference had been made to the government, he was desirous that Mr. Dano would save him the odium of executing the orders to detain him, should he carry out his intention of leaving the city.
On account of a difficulty with a French subject, the same minister had been likewise detained under writ from a minor judge, and summoned to appear in court. On my opinion, expressed to the political chief, Mr. Baz, that Mr. Dano, according to the letter and spirit of the law of nations, enjoyed, until he reasonably departed from Mexican soil, the immunities of an envoy and minister, that authority caused the suspension of all legal proceedings commenced with the design of gratifying personal animosities and of extorting money.
In enclosures Nos. 2, 3, will be seen the result of my representation to the political chief of injuries to the American cemetery, during the siege, by the [Page 436] fire directed against the city from the liberal camp. The repairs are to be made at the expense of the authorities, prompted by a spirit of friendship towards the United States.
General Vidaurri was this morning taken from his place of concealment, and, in accordance with the law condemning those who neglected to present themselves, was shot this afternoon at 4 o’clock. The general-in-chief, deeply moved at the necessity of executing this sentence upon General Vidaurri, has granted an additional term of twenty-six hours to those who shall present themselves and abide a trial by law. The execution of Vidaurri has caused a sensible impression in the community, to which may be attributed the resolution, conveyed to me from the highest sources, not to carry into effect the law which subjects to trial military and political prisoners, with the exception of a few marked individuals. Neither will the confiscation act—enclosure No. 4—be rigorously enforced, if any of its provisions be applied to exceptional cases.
The 4th of July was celebrated at this consulate in the midst of a large assemblage of American citizens. General Felix Diaz, brother of the general-in-chief, lent the band of music for the occasion; and the enclosure No. 5, though unimportant, shows the spirit manifested by the authorities.
Inquiries respecting Mr. Dougall have been set on foot, and their success shall be duly reported to the department.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. F. W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.