Mr. Seward to Mr. Romero
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communications of January 5 and 22, February 20, and March 10, 1866, with their enclosures, which relate to the decree issued on the 3d of October, 1865, by the so-called emperor of Mexico, and in which the penalty of death is declared against all Mexicans found in arms and defending the integrity and independence of their country, against the forcible intervention of France in that republic.
You further inform me that this penalty has actually been visited upon Major General José Maria Arteaga, and several of his companions-in-arms, recently made prisoners by the French.
In reply, it is scarcely necessary for me to assure you that the government of the United States deeply regrets the untimely fate which has overtaken these brave champions of the cause of liberty and republican institutions in Mexico; and fully deprecates the practice of a system of warfare so little in consonance with the usages of enlightened states.
I beg, in answer, to state that the subject will receive the attention to which it is so justly entitled from this government, and meanwhile have the honor to renew to you, sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Señor Matias Romero, &c., Washington, D. C.