Thomas H Nelson to Headquarters, Acatlan , November 23, November 28, 1871

No. 270. Mr. Nelson to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I herewith transmit a translation of a proclamation of General Porfirio Diaz, dated at Huajnapam, November 19, (A.) Also of a proclamation signed by the insurgent General Negrete, dated at Alta-maja, November 20, (B,) and two proclamations of the federal General Alatorre, dated from his headquarters at Acatlan, November 23, (C and D.)

I am, &c.,

Proclamation of General Altatorre.

The general-in-chief of the division of operations over the insurgents, to the Oaxacan people:

Fellow-Citizens: When the national government sent me to the State, in order to re-establish peace, disturbed by the lamentable errors of some of its children, it was not only guided by the fulfillment of the first of its most precious duties as the supreme authority, but also by the desire of emancipating you from the tyranny exercised by a government without titles to hold it—titles which it broke by separating itself from the federation, and abusing the power which the people and the constitution confided to it in order to promote its happiness and welfare.

I am very sensible of entering, with the sound of war, into one of the most heroic States of the republic; but the evils existing in it are alone owing to the rebels, against whom my action will be direct and energetic—not against the peaceful people, riot against the honorable citizens, toward whom I bind myself in the most vehement sympathies and the most sincere affection.

My stay in this magnificent State will be merely transitory; but there shall be established in it peace and public confidence: there shall be reorganized in it a just and constitutional government; and there shall be enjoyed in it all kinds of guarantees.

One of the inconveniences which has impeded, during the last few years, the progress of the State, has been its bad fiscal system, that, exacting from commerce and landed property the most exorbitant contributions, has obstructed the roads of labor, industry, agriculture, and the arts, which to-day are buried in sad decadence. My efforts shall be dedicated to the liberty of commerce, as also to break the dikes which retain the fountains of public riches, in as far as it lies in my power.

Fellow-citizens, in order that with the honorable men my mission may be one of peace, and purely a reorganizing one, for that I need your aid, which I hope you will not deny to me; for that end you are invited by your fellow-citizen and friend,