Office of the Historian

No. 333.
Mr. Nelson to Mr. Fish.

Legation of the United States,
Mexico, July 30, 1872. (Received August 14.)
No. 602.]

Sir: Herewith I transmit a copy and translation (A and B) of a decree of amnesty, issued by President Lerdo de Tejada, on the 27th instant.

I am, &c,

THOMAS H. NELSON.
[Inclosure B.—Translation.]

war department, first section.

The citizen constitutional President ad interim of the United States of Mexico has been pleased to address me the following decree:

“Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada, constitutional President ad interim of the United States of Mexico, to the inhabitants thereof, Know ye:

“That in use of the faculties granted to the executive by the law of the 17th of May last, I have thought proper to issue the following decree: [Page 444]

  • “Article 1. An amnesty is granted for the political offences heretofore committed, without excepting any person.
  • “Article 2. All persons who, for such offenses, have been sentenced to any penalty, or are now on trial, shall be immediately set at liberty, and their prosecution shall be relinquished.
  • “Article 3. The present amnesty leaves intact the rights of third parties.
  • “Article 4. The persons to whom this amnesty is granted, although they recover the full enjoyment of civil and political rights, shall not be entitled to re-instatement in offices, employments, or grades, nor to payment of salaries, pensions, annuities, or credits against the treasury, of which they are now deprived by law.
  • “Article 5. The persons who are now in arms, in order to enjoy the benefit of this amnesty, must present themselves to the proper governors or political chiefs within fifteen days from the promulgation of this law, in the capitals of their respective districts. The governors or political chiefs will record the names of those who thus present themselves and the dates of so doing, informing the ministry of war thereof.
  • “Article 6. Those persons who were excluded from the amnesty of the 14th of October, 1870, as having been lieutenants of the so-called empire, or generals-in-chief, who deserted to the invader while commanding divisions or corps of the army, shall remain subject to the provisions of the second and fourth articles of the said law of amnesty.

“Wherefore, I order the above decree to be printed, published, circulated, and duly obeyed.

“Given at the national palace of Mexico, July 27, 1872.

“SEBASTIAN LERDO DE TEJADA.

“The Citizen General Ignacio Mejia,
“Minister of War, present”

And I transmit it to you for your information and consequent observance.

Independence and Liberty!

MEJIA.

The Citizen Governor of the State of—.

Mexico, July 27, 1872
.