[Untitled], March 12, 1868

[Untitled]

The following is the circular referred to:

DEPARTMENT OF WAR AND MARINE—CIRCULAR.

Under date of the 7th instant I communicated to the citizen prefect and principal commandant of the district of Morelos the following:

“By your official note of the 6th instant, his excellency the President has learned with regret of the excesses committed by a party of bandits on the estate of San Carlos, and approves the efficacious solicitude with which you took steps for pursuing the malefactors, and the succor afforded to the district wherein the crime was perpetrated, although not comprehended within the jurisdiction under your command.

“The supreme government is actively engaged in the formation of a law of expeditious and severe proceedings for the trial of robbers, and firmly establishing public security, by the exemplary punishment of these offenders; but until said law shall be published by the respective departments, his excellency the President empowers you to order the execution of every robber taken in the act, giving a report of what shall so take place.

“With respect to the bandits, against whom there may be well-grounded presumptions, when once captured, you will proceed to draw up an act, in which shall appear the declarations of two competent persons of known probity, and the culpability being proved by the uniformity of testimony against the individual, whether for the perpetration of a robbery or because he belongs to bands of highwaymen, you will give orders that he be shot, transmitting an authorized copy of the proceedings, and remaining with a tranquil conscience as regards the carrying into effect these proceedings, as the supreme government, deviating from the channels and proceedings established by the laws, and trying robbers militarily, does so by virtue of the ample faculties with which it is invested, urged by the necessity of the moment and the dnty of saving society; but its dispositions during this transitory epoch will remain without effect immediately, as has been stated, that by the respective ministry or by the sovereign congress, the regular administration of justice shall be established as the situation of society shall require.”

I transcribe the same to you by order of his excellency the President, in order that within the precincts of your authority, and with respect to robbers, the provisions of the inclosed communication be carried into effect.