Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Third Session of the Fortieth Congress

Mr. Plumb to Mr. Seward.

No. 69.]

Legation of the United States, City of Mexico, January 17, 1868.

Sir: Since the reoccupation of this capital by the national government, and the commencement of the work of reconstruction, there have been constant rumors of changes, more or less complete, in the cabinet of President Juarez, and changes have been believed to be desirable by many of the friends of the government as well as by the opposition.

Except in the case of the minister of treasury, Mr. Iglesias, whose health has for some time interfered very much with the discharge of the duties of his office, these rumors have lacked foundation.

Upon the entry, however, of President Juarez upon his new term of office, on the 25th ultimo, all of the ministers tendered their resignations, for the purpose, as stated in their joint note, of leaving the President free to form a new cabinet if he deemed it convenient, but none of the resignations were accepted, except that of the ministry of the treasury.

I have now to report that this position has been tendered to Mr. Romero, who formally accepted the same on the 15th instant.

The note of the president and Mr. Romero’s letter of acceptance appeared in the Diario Official of last evening, and yesterday he entered upon the discharge of the duties of this important and difficult office.

In consequence of this appointment Mr. Romero has resigned the position he has so long and so worthily filled of minister from Mexico to the United States.

While this fact will, I am sure, be learned with regret by the government of the United States, his acceptance of this position in the cabinet of President Juarez I feel certain will inspire confidence not only in this country and the United States, but also in Europe.

As the correspondence published, alluded to herein, is not only honorable to Mr. Romero, but indicates the principles that will govern his action in his new position, I append a translation herewith.

So far as I have learned, it is not the intention of this government to appoint a minister at present to the United States.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. L. PLUMB.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

[Translation.]

Department of State and Foreign Relations.–Section of Chancelleria.

Taking into consideration your acknowledged patriotism, ability, acquirements, and other qualities, the President has thought proper to appoint you secretary of state of the department of the treasury and public credit, trusting that you will accept this charge in order to lend in it your important services.

I have the honor to communicate the same to you, assuring you of my attentive consideration.

Independence and liberty! Mexico, January 15, 1868.

LERDO DE TEJADA.

Mr. Matias Romero, Present.

[Translation.]

Mexico, January 15, 1868.

I have had the honor to receive the communication you have been pleased to address to me under this date, informing me that the President has thought proper to appoint me secretary of state of the department of treasury and public credit.

Deeply grateful for this further proof of confidence with which the chief magistrate of the nation has again honored me, I make known to you that I accept the charge that he has confided to me solely from deference to the desires of the President and respect to his sound judgment, but by no means believing that I possess the qualifications necessary to its proper discharge.

Indeed my inclinations and my habits have not permitted me up to the present time to study in a conscientious manner the financial questions of our country, and for this reason I can only carry with me to the difficult ministry to which I am now called the firm determination to administer with purity the public funds, the disposition to avail myself of the lessons of experience in order to establish something that may be considered as a financial system, which we have hitherto lacked, and the intense desire to co-operate with the President in the great and patriotic work of consolidating the peace, order, and institutions of the republic.

I renew to you the assurances of my very distinguished consideration,

M. ROMERO.

The Minister of Foreign Relations, Present.