Señor Don Matias Romero to William H. Seward, July 10, 1866

Señor Romero to Mr. Seward

Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to transmit to you, for the information of the government of the United States, copies of a circular which I have had printed in New York, containing fragments of various letters taken from the French and Belgian soldiers who occupied Monterey and Saltillo in April last. The originals were sent to me by General Escobedo, the 27th of May, with his communication from Linares, published in the beginning of the circular, and another letter from Manuel Gomez, General Escobedo’s secretary, dated Rio Blanco, April 26, giving many important particulars.

Though the intercepted letters give very inexact accounts of the situation, enough is said in them to show that the French soldiers are weary of the unjust war their government is forcing them to make on Mexico, without aim or object. They do not believe the so-called empire of the usurper Maximilian can be established without a considerable re-enforcement of French forces; they ridicule the official declarations of the French government that peace is restored in Mexico, and many of them contend that the intervention is unjust.

The annexed circular contains only the most noted passages of the principal of those letters.

I am pleased to have the opportunity of renewing to you, Mr. Secretary, the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.

[Translation.]

Mr. Malglaive, a French officer, writes to a friend, whom he addresses as “My dear Jules,” a letter, dated Monterey, 13th of March last, containing these passages:

“We are running like crazy people after an enemy that can’t be caught. I don’t think they have the facts in France; I fear not; they would change public opinion.

“If there is any good sense in the Mississippi country, there is something bad there, too. The capture of Bagdad by their regiments frightened them, and now they are as gentle as lambs. Yet it was a good time for war. The indirect encouragement they give to the border bands only prolongs an absurd contest that will ruin the country and be fatal to us. The situation is the same; we do not advance towards peace.

“If the Emperor will not withdraw his forces till the present empire is firmly established, he will have to keep them here for twenty or thirty years!”

The same officer, in another letter from Monterey, of the 23d of the same month, says:

“The merchants of Tampico have lost 500,000 dollars through the second commander, who could not protect a convoy he persuaded the traders to accept and organize. The people are becoming discouraged, even the best disposed, because, after persuading them to defend themselves, we desert them and leave them at the mercy of bands that assemble to crush them, It is said Maximilian declared he was beloved by his people, and had no need of assistance. I think he is mistaken; but maybe he is wiser than many who think him a fool, and the number is large. He says: ‘Peace is firm, and the government founded upon the wishes of the people is strengthening.’ A man must be very impudent to tell such lies to a nation as is done every month through the Moniteur to France. We did wrong to come here; we should have declared our wishes; but the wine is drawn and we must drink it; we are compelled to accept the situation.

“Except Vera Cruz, which communicates with the interior, all the other ports are blockaded by rebels, and the revenues are lessened so much. If you have money to invest do not put it in Mexican loans, public or private.

“If you have friends who wish to emigrate, dissuade them from these shores, falsely said to be covered with golden sands.”

Another French officer, who does not sign his name, but writes on paper stamped A. R., from Monterey the 17th of March, speaking of Commander Briant’s check at Parras, says:

“Seven officers were killed, and one prisoner with twenty men. Thanks to Treviño they have not been shot; and yet, from the way we behave towards them, they ought to have been.

“If our prisoners continue to be treated as they have been for some time back, it will give us a good lesson of clemency. But we dread it almost as much as the execution of our comrades.

“This is a sad war, a distressed country. Maximilian’s arrival has made intervention impossible, and his policy is detested everywhere, by all parties.”

On the 23d he said:

“Supporting a stupid cause, not to the glory of the country nor for the peace of the homestead, without the inspiration of the sacred fire of a noble cause, I see the years roll on. I will not write much; but let me tell you, both the emperor and we are disappointed. Intervention will fail; there is no longer any confidence; the empire has no faithful partisans; the clerical party is hostile, and the liberal party is making open war upon it, or betrays it. In a few years Maximilian the adventurer will return to Miramar to enjoy the luxury of his gains in Mexico. It is French money he will be spending, for the French treasury pays all expenses here, civil as well as military, Belgians and Austrians.

“Poor France! How they rob you of your treasure and spill your blood! Maximilian only reigns where his armies are stationed; there are some cities that have changed governors three or four times in one year.”

Mr. G. Colné, a French officer, writes from Monterey the 24th, to a certain Mr. Bernard:

“Affairs could not be in a worse condition than they are at present; all is anarchy; everything totters and tumbles on all sides. Many of our pretended friends are false, and of late fortune has gone against us. We take no prisoners now, and the wounded are despatched; it is a war of savages, unworthy of Europeans. The Belgians with us are dissatisfied, and want to return by the first of September. Such is the aspect of military affairs, not to mention Americans and niggers who often join the rebel bands, to the number of two or three thousand, and sometimes more. Such is our condition after four years shooting and murdering in every direction. That will show the affection the natives have for us.

“As to civil affairs, there are no civilians but those who have all to gain and nothing to lose by accepting service under the tottering empire. The treasury is empty; there is not a city that can pay its own expenses; and yet the custom-houses charge high rates for everything, making living very expensive.

“In conclusion, the general opinion is, among French as well as foreigners of all nations, that we are in a desperate situation, which is growing worse every day; and after suffering incredibly and spending millions we will have nothing to show for it.”

Another officer, whose signature seems to be Duley, sends this short missive to his mother:

“Monterey, March 25, 1866

“Dear Mother: I have returned to Monterey after an expedition of one month into the country. Affairs are no better. Three companies of our regiment were entirely destroyed in a fight with the liberals, and yet the French government persists in declaring the country at peace. I am in good health, and wish you the same.”

[Translation.]

“To General Douay, “Commander of the First Division, Saltillo:

(After a long talk about wine and brandy intended for the general’s table, the letter continues thus:)

“Affairs are becoming more and more pleasant in Mexico, I have charge of the Belgians and Austrians, the greatest spendthrifts in the world. There is something in the public horizon, and I think it will lead to Maximilian’s departure. If we retire the German power is lost. Such is the reward of four years of war and labor. I have nothing more to say; but if I could have an interview with you I could tell something that would astonish you.

“I repeat the assurance, dear general, of my most distinguished consideration.