No. 262.
Mr. Nelson to Mr. Fish.
Legation of
the United States,
Mexico, October 30,
1871. (Received November 18.)
No. 464.]
Sir: The choice of President, by congress,
between Messrs. Juarez and Diaz, took place on the 12th instant. The
supporters of the latter
[Page 347]
and
of Mr. Lerdo having generally declined to vote, the result stood—Juarez,
108 Diaz, 35 blank, 5.
On the following and successive days President Juarez has received the
telegraphic congratulations of the governors of most of the States,
including those of several States which voted strongly against him.
The revolution initiated by Governor Treviño, of Nuevo Leon, has been but
feebly seconded outside that State. General Borrego, in Durango, Garcia
de la Oadena, on the border of San Luis, and several districts of
Coahuila, have hitherto furnished the only contingents to the movements.
The pronuneiamiento of Gomez Portugal, in Aguas
Calientes, and the now extinguished insurrection in Sinaloa, were simply
directed against the local governments of those States.
I inclose a copy and translation (A and B) of a decree of General
Treviño, dated the 1st instant, disowning the government of Juarez, and
declaring himself temporary dictator of Nuevo Leon; also a copy and
translation of a proclamation of the same date, repealing the customs
code, and allowing the entry of foreign goods on the payment of nominal
duties. Treviño has made two unsuccessful assaults upon Saltillo, the
capital of Coahuila. Be-enforcements have been sent to that city, and
the governor professes his ability to hold out.
No definite insurrection is yet known to have occurred in Oaxaca, but it
is confidently looked for at an early day. Latest advices from that
State represent that the two Generals Diaz were hastily fortifying and
provisioning the city of Oaxaca.
The only party of rebels in this vicinity, headed by Sotero Lozano, was
completely dispersed last week.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure A.—Translation.]
Decree of General Treviño.
Geronimo Treviño, constitutional governor of the State
of Nuevo Leon, and general-in-chief of the army of the north, to the
inhabitants thereof. Know ye:
That the continuance of Don Benito Juarez in power being incompatible
with the national liberty: and considering
That this State would suffer immense damage if it should longer
continue to yield obedience to his despotic and capricious
administration;
That in this State the congress has closed its sessions, and the
executive needs to act with the greatest activity and energy, in
order to meet the exigencies of the new situation created in it;
and, finally,
That in order to prevent anarchy and to assure the success of the
movement commenced in Nuevo Leon, and which is being effected
throughout the republic, it is necessary to recognize a sole leader
to direct and head it, and who, by his character and antecedents,
may be recognized by all without opposition, I have thought proper
to decree as follows:
- Article 1. The actual
administration of the citizen Benito Juarez is hereby
disowned.
- Article 2. The State re-assumes
its sovereignty until the triumph and entire
re-establishment of order.
- Article 3. The executive power
of the State re-assumes the exercise of the other supreme
powers so far as he may judge necessary for his freedom of
action.
- Article 4. The Citizen-General
Porfirio Diaz is recognized as general-in-chief of the
republican army for the maintenance of the constitution and
the laws.
Therefore, I order the above decree to be printed, published,
circulated, and duly obeyed.
Monterey, October 1,
1871.
- GERONIMO TREVIÑO.
- Alonso Alba,
Chief Clerk.
[Page 348]
[Inclosure B.—Translation.]
Proclamation of General Treviño.
Geronimo Treviño, constitutional governor of the state of Nuevo Leon,
and general-in-chief of the army of the north, to the inhabitants
thereof. Know ye:
That, considering that the present paialyzation of commerce is owing,
in great part, to the highly exorbitant duties paid in the ports
upon foreign goods, which evil redounds to the prejudice of the
people.
Considering that, in order to provide the resources demanded by the
situation, without extortions upon the people, it is necessary to
give an impulse to commerce, the principal source of public riches,
and that this impulse may conciliate the necessities of the
government with those of the consuming class, without any sacrifice
of national interest; and,
Considering, finally, that the work of political regeneration cannot
be accomplished without a supreme effort on the part of all the
inhabitants of the republic, which is now suffering a lamentable
prostration; and
Being invested with ample faculties, I have thought fit to issue the
following decree:
- Article 1. The so-called
Vidaurri tariff of February 6, 1858, is declared in force,
as well for the collection of import duties as for the
exportation of money, revoking only the first article, which
treats of a discount of 40 per cent.
- Article 2. The duties of
consumption and exportation prescribed by the said tariff
shall be collected in this capital, both for effects to be
sold here and for those to be sent into the interior, which
shall be allowed to pass freely.
- Article 3. All the goods found
outside of the regular route, and destined for places other
than this citv, shall incur the penalty of confiscation, to
be applied by the officers in command of forces depending
from this headquarters, they giving due notice immediately
after the seizure.
- Article 4. The importation of
articles of prime necessity for the consumption of the
villages between this capital and the frontier is permitted,
upon payment of 5 per cent, upon the estimated wholesale
price in this city.
- Article 5. The general customs
code and other laws opposed to this decree are hereby
repealed.
And that it may come to the knowledge of all and be duly obeyed, I
order the above decree to be printed, published, and circulated.
Given at the palace of the government,
at Monterey, October 1, 1871.
- GERONIMO TREVIÑO.
- Alonso Alba,
Chief Clerk.
