[Untitled], January 15, 1868.

[Untitled]

Sir: I had this pleasure, on the 3d instant, with a resume of what was passing here in consequence of a new law laying a direct tax on merchants from $38 up to $18,000 per year, and I have to state subsequent events that have caused my imprisonment with other eight confrères.

I think it was on the 4th that the State congress, by a decree, authorized the governor to ask (pedir) an anticipation of $27,000 to account of the contribution, which is nothing else than an authority to contract with the commerce a loan.

Instead of so doing and calling on us to lend an amount to account, he assigns the Slim among a few of us of amounts from $500 to $1,000, and ordering that the amount be paid within twenty-four hours.

If you look over the law you will find that it has a retroactive effect; that it deprives a man of the full use of his property, and in fact it is unconstitutional, let alone the exorbitance of the amount of taxation. It is natural that every one should resist lending any amount to account of a tax that, by the constitution, could not affect us, let alone that we were not asked to lend the money, but had a peremptory order to pay the same at a stated time.

With few exceptional cases, arising from fear, all determined to resist what we could not interpret otherwise than a forced loan; and some in writing, and others by word, made their excuses for non-compliance.

The reply given all of us was, that our reasons could not be admitted as sufficient, and giving us another twenty-four hours.

This second term expired and no one paid, because a voluntary payment would have proved against us, and that we were conformed to the law. Seeing this resistance, the minister ejucator calls on all non-contents with an order, that if by 12 o’clock on the 11th we had not paid, he had to embargo us.

When I and others knew this we at once addressed ourselves to the district judge, requesting protection, (amparo,) not only from the effects of the law, but also the payment of the forced loan levied on us. We thought ourselves pretty secure, but the sequel proved that we had something else in store for us.

About 6 p. m. on the 11th, as many as could be found were called up before the prefect, who presented an order from the governor condemning all and each one of us to a fine of $500, or imprisonment for the term of three months.

I was notified the next day at 10 a. m., and as I had refused to pay the amount assigned me, I naturally refused also to pay the fine of $500, and in accordance was imprisoned.

I fortunately got what was refused to others—a copy of the order—as I said that I naturally wished to have a document stating the reasons for my arrest.

I inclose you an alcance of the “oppozicion,” in which you will find the same; and the remarks commenting on this order I think you will find such as to show that it is illegal to all intents and purposes, and instead of having that liberty so much talked about, we are only under the rule of a petty tyrant who recognizes no law but his own will.

I have now completed three days in prison; but I have heard it said that if in fifteen days we do not give in and pay the fine we are all to be put in the common jail. I do not know if this is a tale or a threat, but be it as it may, I am as ready to go to the common jail as to remain here.

We have applied again to the district judge, as we have not been consigned to any of the State justices, as the law enforces, to know what we are accused of; because refusing to pay what we do not owe is no disrespect to the authorities or to any one. With equal reason he might have assigned the full amount on me of the $27,000 instead of the $1,000; and this surely does not condemn me that I should pay such an amount.

The foregoing is a true statement of facts, and as I make no doubt a differing coloring will be given to this scandalous business, I would esteem it as a favor that you would publish this statement, even subscribing my name to it if you so wish.

I hear that an execution was put into my house this morning to cover the 81.000 forced loan, and they took nine pieces of broadcloth valued at five dollars and fifty cents per vara.

I also hear since that it has been sold at public auction at three dollars to three dollars and thirty-seven cents per vara.

I suppose I shall again be embargoed for the costs, and you may think how pleasant it must be when I do not even owe the money.

Yours truly,