Mr. Chase to Mr.
F. W. Seward
No. 9.]
United States Consulate
General,
Tampico,
February 16, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith a
copy of a note (No. 1) from the prefect of this city, and my reply
thereto, (No. 2,) by which you will perceive that the imperial minister
of foreign relations instructs the prefect to cause the commissions of
all consuls to be presented to him, and, in the event of non-compliance,
the offender is to understand that he is to abstain from all consular
privileges.
[Page 379]
You will doubtless recollect that I was recognized by President Juarez at
San Luis Potosi, and as my commission will be examined in this office
to-morrow, I shall withhold that recognition from the ruling authorities
here, and I am apprehensive that difficulties may be thrown in my way to
prevent the exercise of my consular prerogatives, and I beg that you
will be pleased to instruct me as to the proper course to be pursued, so
that I may carry out the views of our government should my fears be
realized.
I have reason to believe that the whole force of the ministerial despatch
upon this subject is aimed at this consulate, in order that the question
of consular recognitions may be at once contested between the imperial
government of Mexico and that of the United States.
I have the honor to be, sir, with great esteem and respect, your most
obedient servant,
Hon. Frederick W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State, Washington.
Mr. De la Serna to Mr. Chase
No. 1.]
Tampico,
February 11, 1865.
Mr. Consul: The political chief of this
department, from the city of Victoria, advises this prefecture, in a
note dated the 2d instant, as follows:
“His excellency the minister of state and foreign affairs advises
this chief political prefecture, under date 18th January ultimo,
what I here copy. ‘It has come to the knowledge of the ministry that
there are persons in the territory of the empire who are acting as
consular agents without having obtained the customary exequatur,
neither from his Majesty’s government nor from that of the old
Mexican republic, before its departure from this capital,
contravening, by so doing, the established usages and violating the
laws relative to this matter . Your honor will be pleased to invite,
in a very attentive manner, the persons who are exercising those
functions in the territory under your command, in order that they
may present to you their patent or authorization, and after taking
notice of the same you will give an account of its result. Those who
do not present these documents, you will make them understand they
have to abstain from all consular functions. Your honor will take
care of the strict compliance of this ordinance, and you will give
an account to this minister of the abuses of this kind which they
may have committed or may commit.’ And I enclose it to you, in order
that in that district it may be strictly complied with, giving me an
account of its results.”
And I have the honor to communicate it to you for your knowledge and
the end herein expressed.
God guard you for many years.
The Prefect, JESUS DE LA SERNA.
The Secretary, P. S. Garera.
Mr. Consul General
Of the United States of the North,
Present.
Mr. Chase to Mr. Serna
No. 2.]
United States Consulate
General,
Tampico,
February 13, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your note of the 11th instant, in relation to consuls,
and in reply thereto I have to acquaint you that in the month of
December, 1836, I took charge of this consulate as vice-consul, was
promoted by the President to the rank of consul in August, 1842, and
to the rank of consul general in the early part of June, 1863, and
that the respective commissions are now filed in this consulate,
subject to your inspection, should your honor deem such inspection
necessary.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
most obedient servant,
Hon. Jesus de la Serna,
“Prefecto Publico” of the Southern District of
Tamaulipas, &c., &c., &c.
