Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Thirty-ninth Congress
Mr. Romero to Mr. Seward
Mr. Secretary: For the purpose of keeping the United States government informed of the satisfactory manner in which the decree of November 8, 1865, issued by the constitutional government, has been received in the Mexican republic, by which the prolongation of the period of service of the President until it be possible to hold a new election is decreed, I have the honor to send with this note a copy of No. 11 of the official paper of the government of Mexico, published at the town of Paso del Norte the 8th of March last, which contains a communication from General Garcia Morales, governor and military commander of the State of Sonora, dated at La Noria, the 1st of February previous, and another by the political chief of the Territory of Lower California, addressed to the Mexican consul at San Francisco, who transmitted it to the minister of foreign relations, in which communications both functionaries express the completest approval, and that of Mexicans residing within their respective jurisdictions, of the measure indicated. I also send a copy of No. 16 of the official newspaper of the 17th May last past, in which are published two communications on the same matter addressed to the department of foreign relations and government—one by General Don Domingo Rubi, governor and military commander of the State of Sinaloa, and the other by General Ramon Cowna, commanding the united brigades of Sinaloa and Jalisco, in which they manifest their own opinion and that of their subordinates as entirely favorable to said decree. I send also, lastly, various printed acts signed by citizens of the State of Tabasco, in which absolute approval is expressed of the decree prolonging the constitutional term of President Juarez.
I avail gladly of this occasion to renew to you, Mr. Secretary, the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
[Translation.]
I have received with positive satisfaction the two decrees issued by the President under date 8th November last, and the circular of the department which accompanied it; the first of them on the prolongation of the functions of the supreme magistrate of the nation, while the condition of the foreign war does not permit the making of a new constitutional election; and the second on the mode of substitution for it, during the war, it should fall through.
The anomalous circumstances under which, unfortunately, the republic is placed; the void or silence of the constitution on this point of such vital interest to the country; the spirit of articles of 78, 79, 80, 82 of the same fundamental code; and, finally, the amount of powers which the legislative power of the Mexican union devolved on the executive at the date of the 11th December, 1861, can superabundantly justify the first of said measures, in which not even the enemies of the government will ever be able to see anything else than the intense zeal of the President for legitimate action, the closest investigation of his determinations, and above all, his singular self-denial in encountering a position so trying as the present without other recompense than the satisfaction always caused by the discharge of duty, however onerous it may be.
Independence and liberty!
D. Elial, Secretary.
The Citizen Minister of Relations and Government, Paso del Norte.
[Untitled]
Citizen Antonio Pedrin, political chief of the territory of Lower California, says to me, under date of 16th instant from San José, as follows:
“With your valued communication, dated 27th December last past, I have received two numbers of the official paper which you had the kindness to send me, in which are published the decrees which the President of the republic issued through the department of foreign relations and government; one relating to the prolongation of the functions of the President, and the other on the responsibilities of General Jesus Gonzalez Ortega.
“In acknowledging the receipt of this communication, I acknowledge with pleasure that, in my opinion, the citizen President could not adopt a more prudent measure, because if it is true that it might affect certain partialities interested in a change of administration, there is nothing more sure than that none of our public men can fill the immense void, which would be left in the absence of the power—the father of the Mexican republic.
“By his side we know that we always hold combined faith, honor, and constancy, sustained by the national party—out of it, God only knows what would become of Mexico under actual circumstances.”
I have the honor to transmit you this, that you may make report to the President of the republic for his information.
I reiterate to you the assurances of my distinguished consideration.
The Minister of Foreign Relations, Paso del Norte.
[Translation.]
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your department of the circulars of the 28th of October and the 8th of November, and of the decrees issued at the last date.
These supreme dispositions will be rigorously adhered to by this State under my command, for in them we see security to the nation, and the responsibility of those who have abandoned the republic at a critical moment and gone abroad.
[Page 165]These excellent decrees have been ordered to be circulated in the districts, and by general order mong the united brigades of Sinaloa and Jalisco.
I make this communication to you for the information of the supreme magistrate of the nation.
Independence and liberty!
F. Sepulveda, Secretary.
The Citizen Minister of Foreign Relations and Government, Chihuahua.
[Translation.]
The circulars and supreme decrees issued on the 28th of October and 8th of November from your department have been received. The good sense of the nation will see in these documents security for the supreme authority of the nation, and a protection to the defenders of national independence, in contrast to those who, bearing the name of soldiers of the republic, desert the flag and leave the country.
These supreme dispositions shall be made known by general order to the men of the united brigades of Sinaloa and Jalisco.
I make this communication to you for the information of the supreme magistrate of the nation.
Independence and liberty!
The Citizen Minister of Foreign Relations and Government, Chihuahua.
[Translation.]
The people of Tabasco and citizen Benito Juarez—Acts requesting him to remain in office till the end of the war.
Tabasco, 1866.
Third seal—Fee, four reals.—Executed in the principal administration of Tabasco, for the years 1866 and 1867.
The governor and military commander of the State of Tabasco assembled the inhabitants of San Juan Bautista on the 4th of March, 1866, to ascertain if they were in favor of prolonging the presidential term of citizen Benito Juarez, constitutional President of the Mexican republic, according to decrees issued at Paso del Norte, on the 8th of November last; and to organize the meeting, the governor was called to the chair, and Juan R. de la Rosa was named secretary.
The decree having been read aloud, the object of the meeting being for that purpose, and all present having manifested their will in favor of prolonging the presidential functions of citizen Benito Juarez, the following resolutions were passed unanimously:
1st. The inhabitants of the capital of the State of Tabasco support with all their will and all their strength the decree issued on the 8th of November, 1865, by citizen Benito Juarez, prolonging his presidential term till circumstances allow the nation to hold a constitutional election for his successor; and the inhabitants of the capital of Tabasco acknowledge no other authority than that now exercised by citizen Benito Juarez.
2d. The same people of Tabasco express their full confidence in citizen Benito Juarez, and thank him for the constancy and abnegation with which he has defended the independence and autonomy of the nation.
And thereby this act was concluded and signed by those present, with me, the secretary, to which I certify.
G. Mendez.
M. M. Moreno.
Cornelio Castillo.
Mariano Pedrero, esq.
Francisco de P. Aguilar.
Pedro Fuentes.
Isidoro Alfaro.
Tranquilino de la Rosa.
José Eugenio Garcia.
Nicolas Hernandez.
And two hundred and fifty-nine other names.
[Translation.]
In the city of San Antonio de Cardenas, on the 25th of February, 1866, I, José Leandro Dominguez, acting subaltern chief of this place, intending to give due effect to the superior disposition from the headquarters of the eastern line relative to the Mexicans in this State, to declare freely their opinion whether or not they agree that the well-deserving citizen Benito Juarez shall continue to exercise the presidency in accordance with the supreme decree issued by him in Paso del Norte on the 8th of November last, and in conformity with the superior consent of the government of the State, communicated to us by the chief prefect of the district, have summoned all the inhabitants within the jurisdiction of this city for that purpose, who being present and being informed of the opinion of the headquarters of the eastern line, and of the circumstances that caused the prolongation by decree of the presidency of the well-deserving citizen Benito Juarez, who by his heroism, constancy, abnegation, and patriotism has lent such important services to the nation, particularly in the present foreign war, by which he has earned the title of well-deserving of the Americas, they declared unanimously that they accept in all form the mentioned supreme decree, issued at Paso del Norte on the 8th November, 1865, and by the same they recognize and will recognize citizen Benito Juarez as President of the Mexican republic, in conformity with article 1st of the supreme decree already mentioned. And to confirm it, they all sign with me, giving as concluded this act, which will be sent in original to the governor of the State, to act upon it as he may think proper.
L. Dominguez.
P. Valenzuela.
P J. Sanchez.
Manuel A. Hernandez.
Candelario Ibarra.
Winceslao Ojeda.
Ramon A. Echalaz.
R. E. Cecia.
Teodoro Rosaldo.
Miguel Hernandez.
And forty-two other names.
[Translation.]
In the city of Santiago de Teapa, of the free and sovereign State of Tabasco, on the 25th of February, 1866, the principal inhabitants of the district assembled in the City Hall, by invitation of the civil prefect, to learn public opinion in regard to the decree of the 8th of November last, in which citizen Benito Juarez, constitutional President of the republic, for just reasons of necessity, which he gives, has been forced to prolong the supreme government of the republic in his own person. The decree in question having been read, and the one of the same date deposing citizen Jesus Gonzalez Ortega from his place of president of the supreme court of justice, and the official note of the commander of the eastern line, which says that General Jesus Gonzalez Ortega, as president of the court of justice, protested in the United States against the decree that prolongs the presidency of the person now holding the office, the presiding authority observed that the people of the present meeting could now express their opinions and wishes freely and voluntarily in regard to the continuation in office of citizen Benito Juarez, interim President of the republic. By virtue of the full powers with which he is invested, and the necessity of not leaving the government without a head, he was compelled to issue the decree that had been read; and all the citizens present, unanimously without dissent and without discussion, (for it was deemed unnecessary,) adopted the following resolutions:
Article 1. Citizen Benito Juarez is recognized, received, and obeyed as President of the Mexican republic till it can be freed from its enemies, now occupying a large portion of its territory by force of arms, and till a new constitutional election for a chief of the republic can take place.
Article 2. A vote of thanks is given to the well-deserving citizen Benito Juarez, for his self-denial and the many sacrifices he has made of his person on the altar of his country by continuing in the supreme command of the republic while it is laboring under its present trials and tribulations.
Article 3. An act is made out containing these resolutions, the original of which is to be sent to the citizen governor and military commander of the State, through the proper source, and for consequent action.
And thereby this act closes, all present signing it.
José M. Bastar.
Silverio R. Garido.
Fernando Carrillo.
Augustin Figueroa.
Cecilio Pedrero.
Ramon J. Pedrero.
Evaristo Carrera.
Rudecindo R. Carrillo.
And fifty-one other names.
[Translation.]
In the town of Navidad de Cunduacan, on the 27th of February, 1866, a considerable number of citizens assembled in the hall of the civil prefect, to consider a circular issued by the general-in-chief of the eastern line, on the 1st instant, and sent to the supreme government of the State, requiring the people to express their sentiments freely in regard to the permanency of citizen Juarez in the office of President of the republic, till the conclusion of the present war.
First. The town of Cunduacan acknowledges citizen Benito Juarez as the only legitimate President of the republic, by virtue of the decree which he was pleased to issue on the 8th of November last, at Paso del Norte, and by which he now exercises the functions of President of the republic.
Second. The town of Cunduacan gives its vote of confidence in the worthy President, citizen Benito Juarez, for the energy and firmness with which he has sustained the flag and honor of the republic against foreign invasion.
Third. In conformity with the mandate of the superior government of the State in the said circular, the present act is addressed to him in original by the civil prefect.
Rafael A. Quevedo.
For myself and Locadio Ruis, Rafael Taraseno.
For me and Mr. Eugenio Sanchez, Wenseslao Fuentes.
Noverto Fuentos.
Francisco Burelo.
Manuel Priego.
S. Alpuin.
Evaristo Trujillo.
And sixty-two other names.
[Translation.]
In the town of San Isidro Comalcalco, on the 25th of February, 1866, the people of the place assembled in the Town Hall, by summons of the civil prefect, from an order of the superior State government, dated the 17th instant; and the circular of the general-in-chief of the eastern line having been read to the people assembled, in regard to the protest of citizen Jesus Gonzalez Ortega against the supreme decree issued by citizen Benito Juarez, prolonging his functions as President of the republic as long as the cruel war waged against us by France may last, endeavoring to impose an imperial government upon us; and the meeting having been addressed by the civil chief, stating that the persons present were requested to give their opinions upon these questions, of so much importance in the present condition of the country, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
1. Citizen Benito Juarez is recognized as President of the republic, because he is the only person in whom the Mexicans have confidence, as with so much faith and abnegation he has supported the national cause and sustained the flag of his country.
2. The pretensions of General Gonzalez Ortega to assume the presidency of the nation by right of his position as president of the supreme court of justice, is disavowed and rejected, as he was not in the country at the time.
3. Let this act be communicated to the citizen governor of the State, as the free vote of the inhabitants of the town of Comalcalco, and in accordance with the will of all Mexicans faithful to the national cause.
And thereby this act closes, and is signed by all citizens present, and by me, the secretary, who certify it.
Victor Gonzalez.
P. Mendez.
B. Fuente
José A. Ferrer.
Miguel Bosada.
Francisco Hermandez Ubaldo Gonzalez.
Perfecto Diaz Asenso.
Aniceto Cordova.
José Mariano Hernandez.
And forty-three other names.
[Translation.]
In the town of San Antonio de Padua de Nacajuca, on the 28th of February, 1866, the inhabitants assembled in the prefect’s hall to consider a circular from the governor and military commander of the State, dated the 17th, and containing a note from the general-in-chief and military commander of the eastern line, of the 1st, stating the disagreable and serious question that has arisen in the country, and even outside of it, in consequence of the protest of General Jesus Gonzalez Ortega, while in the United States, against the decrees of the supreme [Page 168] government of the republic, of the 8th of November last, and aspiring to the supreme magistracy, as president of the court of justice; and the documents having been read, the civil chief invited those present to express their opinions, in accordance with the wish of the circular. The vote was unanimous for citizen Benito Juarez, the legitimate President of the republic, to continue in office till a new election could take place.
And thereby this act concluded, and is signed by all present, and certified to by me, the secretary.
José del R. Perez.
Hilario Leyva
Matias Ybancovich.
Perfecto Ramon.
Manuel R. Alvarez.
R. Leon.
José M. Ramon.
Melicio Denis.
P. Ferrer.
Claudio Rodriguez.
And forty other names.
[Translation.]
In the town of Huimanguillo, chief town of the district of the same name, on the 4th of March, 1866, the authorities and inhabitants, together with the people of Riberas, met to consider the governor’s circular of the 26th of February, requesting the opinion of the people whether citizen Benito Juarez shall continue as president of the nation till the end of the present war. The vote having been taken, it was unanimously agreed that Juarez, who had sustained the national cause under such trying circumstances, should retain the presidency till the close of the war.
And thereupon the present act was concluded and signed by all present and by me, the the secretary, to which I testify.
José M. Sol.
F. Tronco Montero.
Francisco de S. Colorado.
Bruno Girodo.
Bernardino Fuentes.
Anastasio Hernandez.
Anselmo Hernandez.
José M. Morales.
Pedro Priani.
Macedonio Acuña.
And thirty-four other names.
[Translation.]
In the township of Balancan, chief place of the district of the same name, on the 25th of February, 1866, the inhabitants assembled in a place designated by the chief civil functionary, where a communication from the citizen governor and military commander of the state, dated the 17th instant, with another from the headquarters of the eastern line, dated the 1st, was read, the substance of which was that citizen Benito Juarez, by a decree of the 8th of November of last year, had prolonged his powers as president of the Mexican republic, as an election could not take place, as prescribed by the fundamental charter of the nation, as long as this war lasted; and the vote having been taken, it was freely and unanimously declared that the well-deserving citizen Benito Juarez should retain the presidency of the republic till the termination of the war.
And thereupon this act was concluded and signed by all present, with the proper authen-tication.
C. N. Ramirez.
D. Gutierrez Julian Quintero.
Miguel A. Bustamente.
Severo Arevalo.
Caiisto J. Rubio.
Joaquin Alcocer.
Candelario Martinez.
Sisto Argaez.
Francisco Lisarraga.
José M. Tonsum.
And thirty-seven other names.
J. Domingo Ramirez, Secretary.
[Translation.]
In the town of Jalpa, capital of the district of the same name, on the 25th of February, 1866, the undersigned citizens assembled, under the presidency of the chief civil authority, and the meeting being called to order, the circular from the headquarters of the eastern line was read, requesting the free expression of opinion about the continuation of citizen Benito [Page 169] Juarez in office as president of the republic, in accordance with the decree of the 8th of November last; and considering that nothing is more just than to confirm, by popular vote, the worthy citizen who has given so many proofs of loyalty, patriotism, and abnegation in the sacred cause sustained by the nation, in his office, and to declare that the continuation of citizen Benito Juarez in power, under present circumstances, is in fact a guarantee of national independence and acknowledged principles, have proposed and adopted the following resolutions:
Art. 1. The inhabitants of this place unanimously favor the permanency of citizen Benito Juarez in the office of first magistrate of the nation, according to the principles established in the supreme decree before mentioned.
Art. 2. Let the original of this act be addressed to the citizen governor and military commander of the state for his superior information and consequent action.
Done in duplicate, and signed by all present, and attested by the secretary.
Feliciana Martinez.
José Rafael Ferrer.
J. Maricio Ferrer.
Manuel M. Caralvo.
Antonio Ortiz.
Sisto Garcia.
José Antonio Zapata.
Vicente Ferrer.
Pomposo Martinez.
Francisco Ferrer.
And fifty other names.
José D. Guzman, Secretary,
[Translation.]
In the town of San Marcos del Paraiso, on the 25th of February, 1866, a great number of inhabitants having met in the City Hall by special invitation of citizen Faustino Morales, subaltern civil chief of this place, who presided at the meeting and stated that a communication of the 25th instant, relative to the decrees issued by the supreme government of the republic at Paso del Norte on the 8th of November last, prolonging the functions of the actual president till the end of the foreign war, required the vote of the people thereon; and the decree prosecuting General Jesus Gonzalez Ortega having been read with the other, the vote was taken whether citizen Benito Juarez should continue to hold the supreme power of the republic. It was resolved that as there were good and powerful reasons for the supreme government to issue those important documents, as, owing to a state of war, no election for his successor could take the place; and considering that citizen Benito Juarez, for the constancy and firmness with which he had sustained the honor and integrity of the nation in its prolonged contest with France, not only deserves the public confidence of his fellow-citizens, but deserves to be made perpetual president of the magnanimous and powerful Mexican republic, because he has won a reputation for it far superior to the decrepit nations of Europe, and has sustained its standard with dignity, maintaining the national autonomy, which has never swerved from the great principles contained in the code of 1857; the people therefore will that he continue in command according to the prescriptions of the said decrees, and adopt the following resolutions:
1. The inhabitants of the town of Paraiso, loving and admiring the great civic virtues that adorn the enlightened citizen Benito Juarez, and having a decided confidence in his loyalty, constancy, and abnegation in defence of the independence of his country, all agree that he shall continue to direct the supreme destiny of the country, as directed by the decree of the 8th of November last.
2. That a copy of this act be sent to the civil chief of the district, to be communicated to the superior government of the state and to the chief of the eastern line, giving the opinions and votes of the subscribers.
And thereupon the meeting adjourned, after the act had been signed by all present and by me, the secretary, who testifies to the same.
Faustino Morales.
Francisco Magaña.
Gabino de los Santos.
For citizens Florencio Tejada, José Angel Tejada, and Luis Alejandro—Francisco Magaña.
Cenobio de los Santos.
For me and citizens Bonifacio Coliado, Juan Hidalgo Balboa, José Maria Sanchez, and Joaquin Pelegrino—Castulo A. Vera.
And forty-one other names.
This is a true copy of the original, and I certify to it.
[Translation.]
In the town of Santa Cruz de Chichicapa, district of Comalcalco, on the 3d day of March, 1866, the inhabitants assembled in the town hall by invitation of the subaltern civil chief, [Page 170] who read a communication from the commander of the eastern line, submitting an important question to the decision of the people, namely, the attempt of General Jesus Gonzalez Ortega to rob the presidency from the worthy citizen Benito Juarez. Considering that the supreme decree of the 8th of November last, issued in Paso del Norte, is a just and necessary measure, as it saves us from a crisis, because an election for president cannot take place, on account of war, in accordance with the fundamental code of 1857, and as citizen Juarez could not vacate the place, because citizen Gonzalez Ortega, who was to fill it, was absent at the time; and whereas war should settle all home disputes, the people of Chichicapa, free to vote on national questions, have agreed upon and adopted the following resolutions:
1. The well-deserving citizen Benito Juarez, as the only man whom the Mexicans have trusted and can trust, is acknowledged and shall be recognized as President of the republic.
2. We reject the protest of General Jesus Gonzalez Ortega against the supreme decree of the 8th of Novomber last, with all our energy and power.
3. We also reject any other future protest that may be made against the acts of——[rest of the pamphlet is wanting.]