Benito Juarez Mexican War Date LS Armaments and Supplies for the National Guard

Manuscript Letter Signed “Benito Juarez” as Governor of the State of Oaxaca, one page, 8.5” x 12.5”. Oaxaca, December 13, 1847. In Spanish. To the Commander General of the Armaments of the State (Jose Maria Castellanos). Excellent signature and paraph. Fine condition.

Translated in full, “I have had the pleasure of receiving the official letter from Your Excellency, dated the 10th of thos month, and am well versed about what is put forth therein, referring to the squad of the Coastguard Battalion of Tehuantepec which arrived to this city. In response, I declare to you that regarding this issue we propose that it will be resolved for you, and that regarding the wardrobe that Your Excellency requests, the corresponding order has already been given to the General Treasury of the State in order that a linen cloth and a hay mattress be ministered to the soldiers of the 3rd company of the Loyalty National Guard Battalion. I enjoy the honor of reaffirming to Your Excellency my regard and esteem. God and Liberty.” 

On October 29, 1847, the state legislature of Oaxaca declared Benito Juarez interim Governor. Oaxaca had a population of more than a half million but a National Guard of only 300. Immediately upon taking office, on October 30th, Juarez issued a decree, organizing armed companies in outlying districts where he felt state government control was weak in six towns including Tehuantepec. At the same time, he fulfilled the state’s duty to supply a required number of soldiers to the federal army. What concerned Juarez was the presence of the Commander General in Oaxaca, responsible to the head of the Mexican government, with federal armed forces at his disposal. He feared that the Commander-General might exploit the deepening and unresolved tensions developing in the isthmus of Tehuantepec to topple his new government. The federal government was still preoccupied with the United States and the Mexican War and could not afford to have any domestic problems, so Jose Maria Castellanos was appointed the new Commander General of Oaxaca and generally supported Juarez. Governor Juarez had earlier appointed Jose Gregorio Melendez as colonel of the National Guard in Tehuantepec with orders to organize forces to repel any U.S. invasion. He also appointed Maximo R. Ortiz, Melendez’s political rival, as interim governor of the department, hoping to deflect attention from the domestic problems in the isthmus to the war with the United States. The situation worsened and in December 1847, Juarez sent armed forces into Tehuantepec under Lieutenant Jose Maria Munoz whom he had appointed Civil and Military Governor of Tehuantepec. This letter is evidence of the friendly relations between Castellanos and Juarez who has already ordered supplies requested by the Commander General for the National Guard.

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