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to sell two provinces of his country to the United States». . . . This accusation, made by a high functionary of a nation, and on a serious and solemn occasion, in which a statesman ought to be careful that his words shall carry the seal of truth, of justice and of good faith, is an accusation seriously grave, because it might be suspected that, by reason of his high position, he holds documents to prove his statements. Yet this is not true. Señor O'Donnell is hereby authorized to publish the proofs which he may hold with regard to this matter. In the meanwhile my honor obliges me to state that Señor O'Donnell has erred in the judgment he has formed of my official proceedings; and I authorize you, Mr. Editor, to deny the imputation which is thus so unjustly made against the Chief Magistrate of the State.—I am, Mr. Editor, your obedient servant.—Benito Juarez.»
«Most willingly we comply with the request made in the foregoing letter. Our testimony can add nothing to the weight of the noble and sincere asseveration of the Chief Magistrate of the Republic. Nevertheless, we avail ourselves of this opportunity to declare that we have been induced by the firmest conviction to designate as a calumny, in the heading which we have given to these lines, that which the Chief of the Spanish Cabinet has uttered in his recent speech before the Cortes, when alluding to the present President of our Republic. An affirmation so false, when heard from the lips of a person in so high a position, makes us comprehend to what extent the systematic defamation made by the press and by intriguers has misled the judgment of persons who have the opportunity, and whose duty it is, to be well informed as to the affairs of Mexico.
«The speech of Marshal O'Donnell, which is the motive for this explanation, renders other important rectifications also necessary. We shall devote a subsequent article to
