The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-31
Mexican Affairs.

TWEEN THE SUPREME GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO
AND ME-. JUAN BAurisrA cEvALLos, JUDGE OF
THE SUPREME COURT OF THE SANE REPUBLIC.
To THE MgxcANs:-
Having been raised divers times to various Offices
of the highest responsibility it Is becoming that
upon all eventful occasions where ! may have to
act in matters Of public concern should give my
fellow-countrymen an explanation Of my course
and the reasons that have prompted me to the
same. The fact that am away from my country,
and In no way connected with its public atfirs,
does not. in my judgment, do away with this re-
sponsiblty.
My decided determination not to accept the
honor which the government thought to confer
upon me by appointing me knight OF the Order OF
Guadalupe, caused some sensation at Mexico, aud
was commented upon by divers salaried writers
after their fashion. The best and only answer
which was to be given to men bought by govern
ment was silence; this | did give them, and ever
will. so long as the writers of my country not
what they should be-independent, enlightened
conscientious, and the organs of public opinion.
Now that can speak with freedom, | shall offer
nay fellow countrymen statement of oil that has
occurred in this matter, in order that they may
form an accurate and impartial opinion as to my
conduct and the singular course OF the government
towards me. AS public man gave myself wnol-
Jy to the nation she alone has right TO Judge me.
New Orleans, February II, 1854
JUAN B. CEvALLos.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE, &C.,
MEXICO November %, 1853.
His Excellency the President, Grand Master of
the National and Distinguished Mexican Order OF
Guadalupe, reestabshes by decree bearing date the
ilth instant, by virtue OF the powers thereby con-
)eded him, and taking into consideration the SER
Sces which you have rendered the nation, has been
pleased to appoint you knight of the said Order.
us Excellency fatters himself that yol WIN iuuy
tumply with all the obligations incurred by 80 DIS
Gnguished an appointment, and in communicating
His, nom compliance with his desire, have the
honor to forward you copy of the statutes OF the
Order begging you TO repair to this ohce TO receive
the necessary Instructions.
have the honor to remain, sir, &c, &c.
(Signed) BoSILLA.
To the Hon. JUAN Il. CEvALLos.
MEXICO November "a, 1854.
SIR-The official note which | this morning
ceiycd from you at ii O'Clock, dated the 22d inst,
in which you communicate TO me the fact that his
Excellency has been pleased to appoint me knight
of the Mexican Order Of Guadalupe, recently re-
established, no less than the Irankneas and LOYALTY
with which an honorable man should act, oblge me
to state, that from the character OF my Convictions
erroneous perhaps. but sincere and deep rooted,
think that an institution OF this character cannot
suit our country and is Inconsistent with the tradi
tions which have nurtured the present generation
for thirty years past, and that having confidence
in the attainment of the ends which His Excellency
nau In view In the fe-estaDllsnmenL OF the SAID
Order, my cooperation can he OF little use. trust,
therefore, His Excellency will not require the sacri
flee OF those cautioeS-a sacrifice most painful to
me, while 1t would be OF no advantage to His Excel
lency and the public veal and that he will rather
excuse me from accepting the honor in question,
remaining assured, meanwhile, Of my sense Of graf
itude for the kindness which has prompted the Offer
/ have the honor to remain, sir &c, &c, God aud
liberty. JUAN Is. CEvALLos.
To HIS ExcELLRNCY, THE SECRETARY, sc.
Mrvrco Noyan,har 1osi
His Excellency, the President Of the Republic, to
whom communicated your note of yesterday, has
read the same with profound dissatisfaction, aud
has desired that should say the following in reply
the being In strict and literal accordance vita
the expressions dictated by him.
His Excelency, in comforting upon you the dis
tingushed honor of knight of the Order of Guada
lupe, believed that your Exdelency was fitted with
the qualities which, Indispensable requisites, are
necessary to deserve it, these qualities are virtue
loyalty merit and patriotism, in all classes of the
nation as is set forth in the preamble of the statute
but your EXcellency, in refusing this decoration
has certainly confessed yourself exempt from such
BILE and distinguished qualities, and it has caused
His EXceency TO inquire into your antecedents
ard he has been painfully undeceived on finding
that the country indebted TO you for service
e. that even your elevation to the magstracy, which
was conferred upon you in the Supreme Court, WAS
the effect Of one of those parliamentary party in
trigues which use such shameful means the
classification OF ballot votes to suppant the mani
fesaton Of the true will Of those celebrating bodies.
His Excellency, moreover, believed that yoir
opinions were then different from those which you
now glorify in. Your attack upon national repre-
sentation appears indeed inconsistent with those
opinions, for though il may be urged that the body
which you violently dissolved had incurred general
displeasure, still 1t lawfully operating under
listing institutions 1t seems then that no parallel
must be drawn between attack Of this character,
in which the laws were violated with the utmost
scandal. (and for which laws you now exhibit so
much concern,) and the admission Of an honorable
distinction, which can be inconsistent, or at war
with every principle, however democratic or exag
gerated they may be-
His Excellency, who respects the opinions and
convictions Of each one so long they do not tend
to q violation of the laws, is Of the opinion that
If these which you profess to entertain, were such
as TO forbid your acceptance OF the proered honors,
simple refusal more honest motives mi ght have
been pleaded but that you should never have given
vent to the insulting reproach which you selected
an argument offensive to the authority and respect
due the supreme magistrate. In the selection Of it
he can see nothing but an Ill concealed design to
wash away the stain thrown upon your political
life, and to find favor In the eyes Of your political
partiaans. by your resistance to, and boastfu ndif
ference for, favors which are, nevertheless, appre
ciated by good Mexicans. If such has been your
intention, you must agree that you have given
more proof Of versatility in political sentiments,
peace, and that even were they attained, you
must be considered as an inconsistent revoutonist
whose wiles and man9uvres are reiterated in the
briefest possible space of time
In conclusion, His Excellency Is happy to have
had an opportunity to know you and your political
principles. if you profess any, and of ,vng freed
the distinguished Order re-established perpetual
record of the glories OF the nation, from individual
incapable Of belonging to without furnishing its
lustre.
Having stated this in accordance with the order
of His Excellency, the President of the republic
take this occasion to assure you of my high con-
sideration. God and Liberty. BoSILLA.
To MK. JUAN b. CEvALLos,
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF JUSTICE, &c.
Mexico, Nov. %, 1858.
Under this date, ! say TO the Minister of the Su-
IRENE Court Of Justice, Mr.. Juan b. Ceva.los, a
Magistrate, having stated in his communication Of
fhc oath inst, directed to the Secretary of State,
that his convictions were not in conformity to the
measures dictated by the Supreme Government, to
establish among the Mex leans their high senti-
mcnts of honor. which. unfortunately, have been
sacrificed, thanks to doctrines tending to an