[Translation.]

Mr. Romero to Mr. Seward

The Mexican consul at Havana has sent me a copy of an affidavit made at the consulate under his charge by sundry individuals of the crew of the steamer Noe-Daquy, captured by the Mexican authorities of Yucatan for being in the slave trade. If the facts be true which are narrated in that affidavit, of which I have the honor to enclose you a copy, the United States steamers Wachusett and Sonoma, which arrived at the island of Mugeres the 28th December last, under the order of Commodore Wilkes, committed the offence of taking by force from the jurisdiction of the Mexican tribunals a prize which was subject to them, and which they were passing upon in accordance with the laws.

I have no doubt that, if such facts should turn out to be proven, the government of the United States will be disposed to give to that of Mexico all the [Page 1235] satisfaction that may be due to it for the violation of its rights, as she has done to other nations whose maritime sovereignty has not been respected by vessels of the United States. Although I have not yet received instructions from my government upon this matter, and probably they will not communicate with me until the receipt in Mexico of the reports from the governor of Yucatan, I believe it to be my duty to communicate to you at once the affidavit mentioned for the information of the government of the United States, reserving the application for what may be rightly due when I shall receive instructions from the Mexican government.

I profit by this opportunity to renew to you, sir, the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.

M. ROMERO.

Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.