Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Fortieth Congress
Mr. Romero to Mr Seward
Mr. Romero’s respects to Mr. Seward, and has the honor to send him a copy of a communication from General Berriozabal, commander on the Rio Grande, dated the 9th instant, in Matamoros, and annexed documents, in one of which Mr. Manuel Z. Gomez, governor of the State of New Leon, denies the authenticity of a letter attributed to General Escobedo, in which he gives utterance to remarks against foreigners residing in Mexico.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
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General: I have the honor to inform you that my attention has been called to a singular article lately published in the Ranchero, of Brownsville. It is in the form of a document said to have been written by General Escobedo, and addressed to Governor M. Z. Gomez, of the state of New Leon, and is very expressive of views highly hostile to foreigners in Mexico, which views are said to be entertained in an elevated degree by Escobedo. I regret that the article herein mentioned has already gained a wide circulation, both in the United States and Europe, though it was natural it should, as it bore the signature of one of the leading men of this country. However, in order that such a calumny against General Escobedo personally, and against all Mexicans generally, should not go abroad uncontradicted, I took the trouble of requesting Governor Gomez, as being the gentleman said to have received this imaginary document, asking him for an explanation. It affords me great pleasure to enclose you herewith a translation of the answer to my inquiries received from Mr. Gomez on the 6th instant. By the communication of Governor Gomez you will perceive that the so-called official letter of General Escobedo, as published by the Ranchero, is a falsehood, a fabrication, and a libel, invented and published by that paper for the unworthy purpose of calumniating Mexico and the Mexicans in the eyes of the civilized world, by attributing to her most distinguished defenders a narrow-minded and selfish policy, which they have never for a moment entertained. As long as a journal antagonistic to republicanism confines itself to the mere fabrication of fictitious news of the country, or to the exaggeration of what contains a shadow of truth, there is no reason to take notice of it; but when a periodical so far forgets its dignity and honesty as to descend to the commission of the crimes of forgery and libel, as has been the case here, crimes indictable and punishable by the laws of all lands, I should say it would be justifiable to put a stop to such outrages against the community, public opinion, and common decency. I am aware that the free institutions of the United States give every reasonable scope and latitude to the press of the country; it is right that it should be so: yet sure it can never be a good thing to permit irresponsible editors to run riot with their neighbors’ fair fame, even to the extent of falsifying signatures, without calling them to account for their reckless conduct. Even the continuance of such an abuse as that here spoken of could never create any estrangement between our two governments; but the circulation of such libels tends to impress the people of the United States, whom we look upon as our particular friends and sympathizers, with the idea that Mexicans are averse to foreigners seeking homes in the republic. Quite the contrary is the case, I assure you, for every intelligent Mexican whose opinion is worth having fully recognizes the importance of immigration and the advantages of an increased population to assist us in developing the immense resources of our virgin soil. We are now more than ever desirous that all industrious foreigners who choose should make their homes in our country, identifying themselves with its interests as adopted citizens, and share with us the same liberties and free institutions which we have conquered for ourselves.
Independence and liberty! Matamoras, August 9, 1867.
Major General J. J. Reynolds, Commanding the Sub-district of the Rio Grande, Brownsville, Texas,
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Citizen Minister: I have the honor to enclose to you a copy of the communication that the citizen Manuel Z. Gomez, governor and military commander of the State of New Leon, has addressed me with a view to demonstrate the in-accuracy of the news set afloat by the El Ranchero, published in Brownsville, Texas, and the bad faith it shows against our country.
Governor Gomez contradicts in the most formal manner the authenticity of a letter supposed by the Ranchero to have been written by General Escobedo to General Gomez. That pretended letter, as all that is published in the Ranchero in relation to Mexico, has for its principal object to discredit our country abroad and create in the American people feelings of antipathy against us.
I addressed myself to Major General Reynolds, military commander of the sub-district of the Rio Grande, requesting him to take such steps as he might think consistent with his duties to avoid the repetition of such abuses on the part of the Ranchero. Although General Reynolds will probably not take any measure under his own responsibility on this subject, I thought it convenient to do so.
I must also state that it is equally untrue what the Ranchero affirmed and was reproduced by other newspapers, viz: that we celebrated in this city the death of Maximilian.
I have thought it fit to address you this note, accompanied with the enclosed copies, in [Page 667] order that you may use them in the manner you may deem most convenient to the interests of the republic.
Be pleased to accept the assurances of my esteem and consideration.
Independence and liberty !
Señor Don MatIas Romero, Mexican Minister, Washington, D. C.
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General: The Picayune of the 24th ultimo reproduced a letter said to have been written by General Escobedo to me, and which was first published by the Ranchero, a newspaper of Brownsville, Texas. The bad faith with which the Ranchero manufactures news injurious to the good name of the republic and its defenders is well known to you and to anybody familiar with Mexico. The Ranchero publishes now a paper, supposing it to have been written by one of our generals, and this renders it improper to be silent any longer. We must say, in self-defence, that said paper is a fabrication and a libel. The letter which the Ranchero avers was addressed to me by General Escobedo, which begins with the following words: “The execution of the traitors,” and ends, “God and liberty,” is altogether a fabrication and a slander. You are authorized to make of this communication any use you please.
General Escobedo knows full well that a true republic must only hate vice, and that all laborious bona fide persons are his brothers, whatever their nationality may be. He knows, too, that it is the interest of all nations to have the friendship of the others, and that the moral support which the United States rendered to Mexico during the struggle with France by the fact of not ceasing to recognize President Juarez, and withholding all recognition from Maximilian, have a real value which will make us feel grateful toward that powerful country.
Major General Felipe B. Berriozabal, Commanding the line of the Rio Grande, Matamoros.