Mr. Romero to Mr. Seward
Mr. Secretary: The Mexican consul at Brownsville, Texas, and the vice-consul of Mexico at Franklin, New Mexico, have frequently complained to this legation on account of the unjustly depressed and miserable condition in which Mexicans resident in the State of Texas and the Territory of New Mexico are held, whom it is sought to compel to serve in the army of the United States, or in that of the insurgents, or to subject to other undue burdens, in violation of the rights they hold as foreigners.
Having submitted said reports to my government, the secretary for foreign relations of the republic has communicated to me the instructions of the president on this subject, in which he recommends me to call the attention of the government of the United States to the situation of Mexican citizens resident on the frontier of the United States. He also recommends that I solicit from the government of the United States the issue of decided orders to Colonel West, commander of the expedition sent to Arizona, and to the commander of the forces of the United States in New Mexico, and to that of the expedition which is going to Texas, to act so as to preserve to the Mexicans the consideration and franchises which the universal law of nations and the conventional law between Mexico and the United States guarantee to them.
In thus complying with the instructions I have received from my government, I avail of the opportunity to repeat to you, sir, the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.