Mr. Otterbourg to Mr. F. W. Seward
Sir: In pursuance of the resolution to defend the capital adopted in a council called together on General Marquez’s return from the scene of his defeat, most rigorous measures have been resorted to for the exaction of instant payment of the forced loan and contributions imposed prior to his expedition. Soldiers have been stationed in the houses of recusants, and, where they could not succeed in eluding the vigilance of the police, heads of families have been imprisoned upon the hesitation to answer the impositions of the authorities. A second forced loan is exacted, and contributions based upon the most extravagant pretensions in political economy are levied anew upon the population. No resource has been left untouched that could possibly furnish the means of resistance, which it has been resolved to sustain to the last extremity.
Under the influence of this system of terror, many citizens of the Hanseatic towns have made urgent appeals to me for protection, the responsibility of which I have as invariably declined unless it be solicited by a written communication from the consul general of the league. Though the circular to consuls (a copy of which is herewith enclosed, No. 1) does not require such applications to be made in writing, I have been more decided in this reply to several verbal calls to the same effect of the consul general, by the difficulty experienced in shielding American citizens and their interests, which alone would appear motive sufficient to put on record the protection extended in the present dangerous crisis by the United States to the citizens of another power at the solicitation of their representative, the consul general of the Hanseatic cities. And the propriety of my decision is sustained more fully, if it be true, as intimated, that the reluctance to consent to this single condition proceeds on the part of the consul general from instructions received by him from the cities he represents to apply for countenance and advice to the minister of Prussia accredited near the government of Prince Maximilian.
[Page 396]I respectfully submit the entire subject to the judgment of the department, and shall await instructions as to any future action in the matter.
The liberal army, following up their recent success, is now massed around the city to the number of 20,000 men, as reported, and is making preparation to commence an attack in form as soon as the siege train shall have been received from Puebla.
Under an impression prevailing generally that but an ineffectual resistance can be offered to the forces now upon the capital, the corps of foreign representatives suspended their discussion of the terms of another protest against forced loans and contributions, in order to learn from the high Mexican functionaries their proposed action in the present momentous situation. On the reply that the city would be defended to the last cartridge, the diplomatic corps addressed to the secretary of foreign affairs, in return to the answer, enclosure No. 2, to a former protest, a notification (a copy of which I have not as yet secured) of their resolve to ask of their respective governments instructions in regard to their future relations with this government.
A letter from the consular agent at Puebla gives the information that the liberal authorities have imposed on that city a forced loan of $150,000, and a contribution of one percent, on all capital exceeding $250. I have advised the consular agent, in reply to his request for instructions as to his conduct in the protection of American citizens against these impositions, that Americans would pay the legal imposts levied upon Mexicans, and that at a proper season the government of the United States would interfere wherever any infraction may have been committed upon the rights of their citizens.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. F. W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
P. S.—No news that can be relied upon has been received from Queretaro.