Benito Juarez, to Don Antonio Ochoa, July 3, 1866.

Chihuahua, July 3, 1866.

Mr. A. Ochoa

My dear friend,

With your favor of the 23 of June, I received the letter that Mr. Corona
sent you for me and I beg you to send him the answer that I enclose.

I am grateful to you for the congratulation that you send me regarding
our National cause. We can indeed say truthfully and enthusiastically that
we have triumphed already because the retreating movement has been so
confused by Louis Napoleon's orders to withdraw before carrying out their
plan of conquest, because they have not been able to hold back the Republican
Government of our country.

You probably know that the Emperor of Austria has yielded to the demands
of the Government of Washington and has ordered retired the recruits that
were gathering to come to Mexico and the disciplined troops that were ordered
to set out at the same time. He has ordered them to be incorporated in the
regular army of that country. This act has succeeded in destroying Maximilian's
last hope of safety.

In my last letter I informed you of my coming to this city on the 17 of June.

Do not fail to let me know all that you may hear from Sonora.

Very truly yours, Q.B.S.M.

Benito Juarez