Porfirio Diaz to Citizen President Licentiate Benito Juarez, February 2, 1866

[Translation.]

Much Esteemed and Respected Sir: Yours of the 10th of November last only reached me to-day, and with it the copy of your order restoring me to my former command. It is authenticated by our minister in Washington, and I will make known its contents to the officers commanding in different parts of the line.

You may imagine how much I need resources, and the great good I could do if I had them; but, if your situation in that particular is as bad as mine, I ask no help, only I must let you know that I need it, and will do what I can with my ragged men and their old muskets.

I send a report of my operations, from my liberation to the first of the year, to Mr. Godoy, and as he may have transmitted a copy to you, I will only relate what occurred in January.

An attack on Tehuantepec aroused Juchitan from its apathy, if it did no other good; and after what has happened, it will not soon submit to the empire again. My agents in Mihuatlan and Ejutla aroused themselves on the 24th of January, and sent me the Austrian traitor officials of the former place as prisoners.

I had an encounter on the 6th with the enemy, in the suburbs of Tlaxiaco, and obtained a few arms and horses. They lost four killed, eight wounded, four prisoners and many missing, I threatened Nocchistlan, too. My object was to bring the greater part of the forces from Oaxaca to Mixteca. In this I succeeded. I then marched to Miahuatlan, leaving a small force here, under Leiva, to prevent the enemy from going to Oaxaca from Mixteca.

On the 28th of January a party of traitors attacked Silacayoapam, and was repulsed by our national guards, leaving their leader dead upon the field. Some arms were obtained by this victory.

I might now take advantage of the people’s exasperation, but I have no means to arm and support them, and that injures my influence and disheartens the people. You must not believe that the forces I have are well armed; many of them only have lances, for that is the weapon most easily and cheaply made.

I have seen the decree prolonging the presidential term, and bringing General Gonzales Ortega to trial. The news was well received here; only Ruiz and our enemies, who hoped for a domestic disturbance, murmured, when they thus saw their expectations disappointed. Our friends in Oaxaca were more enthusiastic in regard to this matter than when they expressed their adhesion for us on another occasion.

Continue to write to me.

Ever at your command, with sincere esteem,