[Translation.], March 2, 1867.

[Translation.]

My Dear Minister Aguirre: As my departure for Queretaro when I put myself at the head of the newly formed army might be falsely interpreted as well in the country by malevolent persons as abroad, through ignorance due to the many calumnies which our enemies disseminate with activity respecting the conduct of our government, I believe it necessary to make a few observations which might serve as explanation and guide in the present difficult moments.

The programme traced by me in Orizava after having heard the frank and loyal expressions of the councils of state, has not changed in the slightest degree. The idea of a national congress ever dominates with me as the sole and only solution which can form a durable future and a basis to bring together the parties that cause the misfortune of our unfortunate country.

I emitted the idea of the congress, which already on my arrival in the country I entertained, so soon as I bad the assurance that the repiesentatives of the nation could meet free from foreign influences.

While the French dominated the heart of the country there was no possibility of thinking on a congress with freedom of deliberation. My visit to Orizava quickened the march of the troops of the intervention, and so arrived the day when a constituent congress could be openly talked of. That it was not possible before to take such a step was demonstrated in the strong opposition which the departing French authorities made to the idea emitted.

The congress elected by the nation, a true expression of the majority, and with the accumulated sum of power and liberty is the only remedy capable of concluding the civil war and of staunching the sad flow of blood. I, sovereign and chief, called by the nation, submitted again with pleasure to the expressions of its will, governed by the most ardent desire of thus concluding promptly the desolating contest. I did more; I addressed myself personally or through trusty and loyal agents to the several chiefs, who say they fight in the name of liberty and of the principles of progress in order that they should submit, as I, to the legitimate vote of the national majority. What was the result of these negotiations? That men who invoke progress did not wish or could not subject themselves to such a trial, and replied by the shooting of loyal and distinguished citizens. Rejecting the fraternal hand which sought peace among brothers, or rather blind partisans, they wished to dominate exclusively with the sword in hand.

Where, then, is the national will? On which part is there the desire of true liberty? The sole apology for them is their own proper blindness, so the sad events which under such a banner are enacted and cry aloud to heaven, manifest it. On them, then, we cannot reckon, and we have no other duty than to act with every energy to restore liberty as quickly as possible to the people, that they may be able to express freely and frankly their will.

This is the reason why I myself marched to this city in all haste, seeking by all possible means to restore to our unhappy territory peace and order and to save, a second time, the country from noxious foreign influences. In the east the bayonets of intervention already appear. It is then necessary to arrive at the desired moment, that other armed influences, direct or indirect, may not attempt our independence and the integrity of our native land. We are at the supreme hour on witnessing that a trade is driven with our soil. It is for that very reason necessary to seek, by every remedy, a period to this critical situation, and to free Mexico from every oppression, come it from what quarter it may. Lastly, a national congress will determine upon the destinies of Mexico, as far as her institutions and her form of government, and if this reunion should not take place because we who strive for it succumb the contest, the judgment of the country would always concede us the right; for it would say that we have been the real defenders of her liberty; that we never sold the territory of the nation; that we strove to save her from the double oppression of an intervention, and that in good faith we offered the means of making the national will triumph.

Receive the assurance of my benevolence, with which I am your most affectionate,