Mr. Campbell to Mr. Seward
No. 25.]
New Orleans,
April 6, 1867.
Sir: Receiving your telegram of this date at
half past 1 o’clock p.m., I proceeded immediately to make arrangements
to transmit to his excellency President Juarez an expression of the
views of our govermment, as I understand them from your despatch, on the
subject to which it refers.
Herewith enclosed you will find a communication I have hastily addressed
to His excellency S. Lerdo de Tejada, minister of foreign affairs of the
United Mexican States.
Major General Sheridan, on my application, has very promptly placed at my
disposal, for this special service, the United States despatch steamer
Black Bird, now at Galveston.
I send as special messenger John White, esq, (who served with distinction
in the federal army,) whom General Sheridan has recommended to me as a
man in whom the utmost confidence may be placed, and whose discretion,
energy, endurance, integrity, and trustworthiness he has fully tested. I
transmit herewith a copy of the instructions I have given him. He will
leave this city for Galveston by railroad and steamer on Monday morning,
the 8th, and probably arrive there on the morning of the 9th, at which
time the Black Bird will be ready to proceed with him to Tampico,
without an hour’s delay.
I also transmit a copy of my letter to the captain of the despatch
steamer Black Bird, and a copy of my letter to Franklin Chase, esq., our
consul general at Tampico.
From the tenor of your telegram I infer that promptness in transmitting
the views of our government is deemed important. The means and the route
I have chosen will unquestionably effect the object much sooner than any
other I could possibly make available.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Campbell to Señor Lerdo de Tejada
New Orleans, U. S.
A., April 6, 1867.
Sir: For reasons which are doubtless well
understood by you, it has not yet been in my power to present
formally to his excellency President Juarez my letters of credence
as envoy, &c., &c., of the United States to the republic of
Mexico.
The instructions of October last, under which I started on my
mission, gave me a discretionary power, in a certain contingency, to
establish my official residence, temporarily, “at any place in the
United States or elsewhere near the frontier or coast of Mexico.”
For causes not necessary herein to be explained, I left Matamoros
and came to this city in December last, since which time, under
instructions from the Secretary of State, it has been the place of
my official abode.
The government of the United States has observed with much
satisfaction the withdrawal of the French expeditionary forces in
Mexico, and the advance of the armies of the constitutional
government towards the capital of the republic. This satisfaction
has recently been
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disturbed by the reports it has received in regard to the severity
practiced on the prisoners of war taken by your armies at Zacatecas.
Its fears, too, have been thereby excited that in the event of the
capture of the Prince Maximilian and the forces under him, this
severity might be repeated.
I have this day received by telegraph a despatch from the Secretary
of State instructing me to express to his excellency President
Juarez these apprehensions, in the most expeditious manner.
Therefore, I communicate them by special bearer of despatches.
The government of the United States has sincerely sympathized with
the republic of Mexico, and feels a deep interest in its success;
but I have to express the belief that a repetition of the reported
severities referred to would shock its sensibilities and check the
current of its sympathies. It is believed that such acts to
prisoners of war as are reported cannot elevate the character of the
United Mexican States in the estimation of civilized peoples, and
may tend to bring into disrepute the cause of republicanism, and
retard its progress everywhere.
The government instructs me to make known to President Juarez,
promptly and earnestly, its desire that in case of the capture of
the Prince Maximilian and his supporters, they may receive the
humane treatment accorded by civilized nations to prisoners of
war.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your excellency’s most
obedient servant,
His Excellency S. Lerdo de Tejada,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United
Mexican States, San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
Mr. Campbell to Mr. White
New Orleans,
April 6, 1867.
Sir: On the recommendation of Major General
Sheridan, I have selected you as special bearer of despatches to the
government of the republic of Mexico.
You will proceed as expeditiously as possible to San Luis Potosi, or
to such other point in Mexico as may be found necessary, and deliver
in person to S. Lerdo de Tejada, minister of foreign affairs, (or if
he be not there, to President Juarez,) the sealed communication
addressed to the minister.
From this city you will go forthwith to Galveston, and from that port
proceed to Tampico without delay on the United States despatch
steamer Black Bird.
On your arrival at Tampico, deliver promptly the sealed letter
addressed to Franklin Chase, esq., United States consul general, and
go forward as rapidly as you can to San Luis Potosi.
Having delivered the sealed communication addressed to the minister
of foreign affairs, you will return immediately by the best and most
expeditious route to this city and report to me. Before returning
you will obtain such reliable information as you can touching the
condition of affairs in Mexico. You may also be the bearer of any
communication that government may desire to send to ours through
your agency. You will keep an accurate account of your expenses, and
report the same to me on your return.
Respectfully yours, &c.,
John White, Esq., New
Orleans.
[Untitled]
New Orleans,
April 6, 1867.
Captain: Arrangements have been made with
Major General Sheridan to convey on the Black Bird John White, esq.,
to Tampico. Mr. White goes to Mexico on business of great importance
to the government, and it is very desirable that you should go to
Tampico with all the speed that may not be unsafe.
Very respectfully yours, &c.,
Captain U. S. Despatch Steamer Black
Bird,
Galveston, Texas.
Mr. Campbell to Mr. Chase
New Orleans,
April 6, 1867.
Sir: Acting under instructions received
to-day by telegraph from the Secretary of State, I desire to forward
by the speediest available means an important despatch to his
excellency President Juarez, by John White, esq., a special
messenger, who will hand you this letter.
As I regard the route to San Luis Potosi via Tampico as the shortest
and safest, the special messenger will leave this city on Monday
morning, the 8th instant, for Galveston by
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railroad and steamer. Immediately on his
arrival at Galveston he will sail for Tampico on the United States
despatch steamer Black Bird. On his arrival at Tampico you will
promptly aid him in the speedy discharge of his important duty.
General Gomez, commanding the liberal forces, will doubtless furnish
him transportation and an escort.
You will make an account of any expenses you may incur, and the same
will be defrayed by the Department of State.
Your official communications of the 11th of February last, and of the
1st instant, with the enclosures, were, when received, immediately
transmitted to the Secretary of State, who informs me he has
communicated to you directly the views of the government on the
important subjects to which they refer.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Franklin Chase, Esq., United States Consul General, Tampico, Mexico.
