mitted high political crimes while the man who stole a horse was sent to the scaffold.[1]
Juarez resolved that further bloodshed and persecution should cease, in all cases where he could with propriety exercise leniency,[2] and with that object in view decreed an amnesty early in March, excepting from its benefits only some of the most prominent men of the fallen party.[3] But on the 4th of June a law of outlawry was enacted by congress against the persons and property of certain reactionist leaders, namely, Zuloaga, Marquez, Cobos, Mejía, Juan Vicario, Lindoro Cajiga, and Manuel Lozada, and a reward of $10,000 was offered for the slaying of each of them.[4] The kidnapping and cold-blooded murder of Ocampo caused the greatest excitement in and out of congress. Many conservatives were arrested, and their execution would have followed in retaliation, but for Juarez' opposition to sanguinary measures.[5] It was only by his force of will that a
- ↑ The amnesty, though a limited one, caused the resignation of the ministers. The plan of sending Diaz into exile met with a check. Captain Aldhan of the Valorous, at Vera Cruz, in a note to Gov. Gutierrez Zamora, solemnly protested against Diaz' release, he being concerned in the seizure of funds from the British legation. Ortega as minister of war directed the commander of the forces at that port to suspend Diaz' embarkation, holding him subject to government orders, if necessary in San Juan de Ulúa; and Gov. Zamora was told to assure Capt. Aldham that the government had ordered the arrest of Diaz and all others who had offended international law. Indeed, Zuloaga's and Miramon's cabinets and other persons were subjected to trial, and their property held amenable. Archivo Mex., Col. Ley., v. 26-7, 65-6, 108-12; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., ix. 9; Boletin de Notic., Jan 19, 25, 29, Feb. 7, 1861.Diaz was subsequently tried and acquitted of any participation in the seizure of the British funds. Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, v. 451.
- ↑ When this policy was first broached, it made a great commotion in the liberal party, and forced the resignation of Juarez' ministers, Ocampo, Empáran, and La Fuente.
- ↑ Among those specially excepted were the officials who had done injury or caused damage to third parties, and all men guilty of common crimes.
- ↑ The act calls them 'execrables asesinos.' Marquez, Zuloaga, and Cajiga were concerned in the execution of Melchor Ocampo at Tepejí del Rio on the 3d of June, 1861. Ocampo's untimely end was much deplored. He had travelled abroad, served in both houses of congress; also as governor of Michoacan and minister of state. He was an unselfish reformer. Diaz, Datos Biog., MS., 504. Marquez' band was likewise guilty of shooting Gen. Leandro Valle, in the Monte de las Cruces. Degollado soon after fell into an ambuscade and was slain. Baz, Vida de Juarez, 209; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., ix. 219-20, 224, 228-35; Le Trait d'Union, June 10, 15, 1861.
- ↑ The diplomatic corps also interceded for the prisoners.
