Year: 1866

Carrying Contraband Of War.


DC. &c. &c.
From tho Omcial Correspondence ON


Mexican Affairs Submitted 70 Congress


by the President with His Message Of


March 40, 1866.


Mr.. ROMERO TO MI. sEwARD.


MEXICAN LEGATION IN rHx UNITED srArEs


WASHINGTON, July 23, 1895


Mr.. SEcRsfARY-In virtue Of the recommendation
which you were pleased to make to at the Interview
which we had yesterday the Department of State to
the effect that should state to you 10 writing what
verbally had the honor TO represent TO you pro-
coed to make to you the following statement:-


You know very we'll with how much anxiety the gov
of Mexico has been awaiting the termination Of
the civil in the United Staes fato being
identified TO certain extent with that Of the Union
OF the latter insured own whilst its
throw would have made situation moro dicult. In
fact the French intervention in Mexico having BEEN
is already universally admitted nothing else than part
OF the conspiracy which planned TO subve this gov
msnt and TO break up this country nothing
raj than thss tho principal question the United Stase
when decided In favor Of republican institutions
the accessory one which " being discussed in Mexico
should be decided In the same sense. The success,
therefore, OF tho Independence Of Mexico
already beyond all doubt TO the eyes Of the most
determined enemies Of the republic and has become
only question Of time. Tho duty which the Mexican
government has 70 shorten thas time much may be
possible causes me To- address this communication 10
you


We had believed that when ouce the ovi war had tor
minated here which, from its magnitude and impor.
ance had absorbed the whole attention Of the govern
ment Of the United States, without permitting 10 take
necessary destroy those accessory the
rebellion which developing themselves In foreign
countries the government would have 70 pursue
Of those two policies Either TO take the steps II
might deem proper In ordor that the French should
withdraw themselves from Mexico or 10 follow tho same
policy Of neutrality observed up this period until
psaco finally restored s home and tho federal sutho
rty 10 established the southern States thus giving
time the Emperor Of the French to tho end that
considering his measures he may abandon an enter
prise which is already without object which
il s utterly impossible 70 realize and which, should he
persist in H. will involve him most certainly future
complications with the United States, which, whom
peace will not be able TO remain indifferent specta
tor Of the conquest by An European Power OF Of
the principal regions Of this continent in thar immediate


Upon the choice Of one Of thess two policies shall
say nothing At this time for do not propose In this
note to solicit from this the adoption Of the
OF the other. Ny object is solely TO manifest
that the time necessary having already elapsed TO know
which Of thcm has been adopted have believed that
s the second and In this belief being unable TO rely
for the time beng not upon the moral support OF
this government, 10 put end TO the war carried
against US BY tho Emperor OF the frencn we deem II
duty TO inform the government o the United states
Of what We desire TO do In this country In the fulhment
Of duties as Mexicans


In the first place, deem IL my duty to represent TO
you that although the patriotism of the Mexican people


sufficient guarantee 10 insure success over on in
vaders and although we have In our country sufficient
have enabled 10 resist during four years, the most
persistent efforts Of the first military nation Of Europe
and will enable 10 proong the contest 10 the point OF
compelling our enemies 70 leave our country-our
situation such that the French might be euabled to
remain some wears more in Mexico If they persist in it,
and our condition does not ameorate.


II is known that the people OF Mexico are without
arms As arms not manufactured In the republic we
compelled TO those which may be enabled TO
import The circumstance that some OF ports
cupcd and others bockadcd by the French and above
ALL the fact that this government had prohibited &c our
prejudice, the expectation Of arms from the United
Staes and that could not obtain them in Europe
because almost all the OF that continent
hostile 10 causehas caused the government OF Mex
leo from the commencement OF tho war 10 find itself
with small quantity Of muskct and these in bad


condition that Il Is really surprising hor the resistance
has been prolonged with implements utterly worthless.


The principal and almost exclusive revenues Of the
Mexican being derived from the yield Of the
valuable OF these being occupied blockaded by the
French IL follows that the government OF the republic
IL required them TO and sain the armies
which defend the Independence OF the country.


Our situation therefore, is to sum up, the following
With and resources, We can terminate IN. a few
moi nihs the which France Is wagng against and
without these elements shall be Obliged TO limit our
selves 10 resstng the French who will DO enabled TO
in Mexico for indefinite period with great dan
ger the peace OF this continent until they hnd them
selves compelled quit thst country through vearness
n not expelled by the force of arms


You viii understand MI Secretary, that 10 the duty
Of the Mexican goysrnmens 70 shorten the war and 10
all that incumbent upon IL 70 procure The necessary
elements 10 attain that result


The identity of Interests existing respecting this point
between the tnitsd states and Mexico, aud shove ALL
the great sympathy whck with unparalleled unanimiiy
the most unfortsnss days Of the Unionfor the
Of the ndspeuisn<s a hsxico, have led the Mexican
gove~nnss b~i that by rendering this sympathy
eneciiv- tbo~s esmenp might be derived from u which
reqsired terminate immediately war which 9th
erws nixht last for years. and all this without com.
States, and without causing to devaie by single
hairs breadth from the duty incumbent upon II as
neutal power


Although IN the realization OF this doa we propose TO
ours with the citizens OF this country in
dividuais without In any manner compromising their
plstc entirely lawful and compatible with the attl
tude occupied by the United Statss Power neutral
towards France, deem proper 70 submit our plans
~ the government Of the United Stes as proof OF
good faith Of Difference TO this government and with
the view OF receiving assurances n this be possible that
ecuton thereof since papfal experience has taught
the necessity Of taking this step.


Reservng, therefore, tho consideratoa Of otber mat
tsrs when circumstances shah require H. wishes are
limited for the present 70 the two following points,


Nrs-To negotiate loan TO the government Of Mexi.
contain the guarantees winch consider sucent 70
Induce speculasors 10 purchase them and which may