in charge of United States Legation to F. W. Seward, Assistant, June 27, 1867

Mr. Otterbourg to Mr. F. W. Seward

Sir: At the moment of the surrender of the city to the liberal army, several prominent persons sought refuge in this consulate. Those compromised by their connection with the so-called empire, with the exception of one individual, whose admittance was sanctioned by competent authority, I, with violence to my own feelings, declined to receive.

Many ladies asked protection under my roof, in fear of the outrages which might be perpetrated during the night of the occupation by a supposed disorderly rabble.

These alarms, however, subsided when the few troops which entered the city were seen to conduct themselves with perfect order, and to be held in proper control. The night of the 20th passed undisturbed, unless by the report of fire-arms, which were discharged by the soldiery in their flight from the trenches and barracks. By the morning of the 21st D. Juan José Baz, political prefect, had taken every precaution conducive to the peace and security of the capital, interrupted by the soldiers of Ouiroga, who were caught while attempting to rob and instantly shot.

The enclosed devices, dictating measures of police and retributive justice, manifest a spirit of moderation little anticipated by the friends or enemies of the constitutional government.

An order to the several European representatives and consuls to lower their flags, then hoisted upon their respective consulates and legations, was the sole instance of active interference with the previous customs or habits of the capital.

The necessities of the army, for which the funds were necessary, urgently demanded attention. I offered to General Diaz to supply the money for his immediate wants, through a loan to which only certain capitalists would be allowed to contribute, each, a certain amount, to be returned without payment of interest, at the expiration of a reasonable term. A strong representation was made to him of the danger to the constitutional government, if by a repetition of forced loans and contributions it should attract to itself any of the odium belonging to the military power, which had exasperated and impoverished the citizens by extortionate demands upon their property. General Diaz recognized the propriety of these considerations, and expressed his readiness to accept a voluntary loan upon these terms, from the parties who do not fall under the displeasure of the government.

The capitalists, to whom I applied to make my offer effective, readily contributed towards a voluntary loan on hearing the reasons advanced in its favor, of which the most forcible appeared to be that they would in this manner receive a guarantee against impositions of forced loans or extraordinary contributions in the future.

Enclosures Nos. 1 and 2 furnish copies of my note placing S at General Diaz’s disposal, and his acknowledgment thereof, leaving to my discretion to designate with the contributors the guarantee and mode of reimbursement of their respective shares in the entire amount.

It would be both premature and difficult to attempt to characterize the actual situation of Mexico, which would appear rather from the men provisionally directing its affairs, than from any deeper indication, to be entering upon a new era.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

[Translation.]

Citizen Juan J. Baz, political chief of the capital of the republic, to its inhabitants makes known:

That considering the present condition of the capital, and how necessary it is to avoid all causes of disorder, he decrees as follows:

Article 1. The introduction and sale of pulque, rum, and beer in this city is prohibited tor three days.

Article 2. The above articles may be introduced on the fourth day, but can be sold only from 6 to 3 o’clock.

Article 4. Any one who injures buildings, gardens, or public monuments. besides paying for the damage done, shall be fined from $25 to $100, or be imprisoned for one month or one year.

Article 5. Games of chance are prohibited, under the penalties fixed by the police regulations of 1856 and 1857.

Article 6. It is forbidden to carry arms without license, under the penalties fixed by laws of the above period.

Therefore, I order this to be printed, circulated, published, and observed.

Independence and liberty! Mexico, June, 1867.

[Untitled]

Juan José Baz, political chief of the capital of the republic, to its inhabitants makes known:

That the citizen general-in-chief of the eastern army, in a circular of the 27th April, of the present year, decreed, among other things, as follows:

1. Homicide, arson, rape, and robbery shall be punished with death, without regard to the rank of the person who commits the crime. Robbery is the taking of property, without orders from the general-in-chief, under any pretext whatever. Homicide is the killing of a person by another, who has no right to punish outside of the law.

2. Robbers or thieves, taken in the act, shall be instantly executed by the political chiefs of the districts where the crime is committed, under act identifying the person and the crime he is guilty of.

Ordered to be printed, promulgated, circulated, and enforced.

Independence and liberty! Mexico, June, 1867.