Mr. Otterbourg to Mr. F. W. Seward
Sir: To the facts already reported in despatch No. 21, April 7, from this consulate, I can only add that Lieutenant General Marquez reached the capital at 10 o’clock last night, accompanied by about 250 horsemen.
The rumors to-day are that, kept in check by the liberal cavalry at the hacienda of San Lorenzo, he was completely routed, with the total loss of his army and convoy of treasure, on the arrival of General Porfirio Diaz with the forces from Puebla.
A council held in the palace this morning resolved at every extremity to defend themselves against the constitutional forces now in full march from the field of battle to take the capital.
Press gangs are active in every quarter of the city, seizing upon all males [Page 395] capable of military service and horses, wherever to be found, for the requirements of the government.
In the midst of the general excitement it is impossible to foresee what may occur from one moment to another. The pressure brought to bear upon the authorities might yet induce a change of resolution and convince them of the policy of abandoning the city.
I have heretofore been fortunate in obviating the impositions upon American citizens of forced loans and contributions exacted of foreigners, to the entire disregard of the representations made to the contrary by foreign ministers.
To informal applications made for my intervention I have replied that, when those charged with the security of the population should require and solicit such intervention, the consul of the United States would be prepared to act as events might dictate, in the interests of humanity.
Since the above was written 2,000 of General Marquez’s forces have come in from the field of their defeat, and have been incorporated with the new levies caught up for the defence of the capital.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. F. W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State, Washington D. C.