Mr. Otterbourg to Mr. F. W. Seward
Sir: I avail myself of a courier’s departure for Vera Cruz, of which I was informed only an hour ago, to advise the department of the public entrance into the capital of the republic, on the 15th instant, of the citizen President, Benito Juarez, who obtained a grand ovation as saviour of the independence and nationality of Mexico.
The time from that date to the present has been employed by the cabinet in the organization, not yet completed, of the several departments of administration, the nomination of employés, and in the ulterior disposition to be made, in an attempt to conciliate justice with clemency, of the very many prisoners taken at Queretaro, Mexico, and Vera Cruz. In answer to a telegram seeking, on the 16th instant, of the United States consul at Vera Cruz, confirmation of a rumor current here, I was informed that the steamer Wilderness had entered the port on the 14th, with the family of President Juarez and two bearers of despatches for this consulate aboard. To the present date the latter have not made their appearance.
The pretensions of the very many American citizens congregated at this capital, in expectation that the government newly re-established will attend to and advance their numberless projects and speculations, promise, I fear, a series of endless complaints and reclamations.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. F. W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.