Mr. Seward to Mr. Romero
Department of State,
Washington,
October 17, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit to you a
small box to the address of the “Citizen Benito Juarez, President of
the United States of Mexico,” and also a
[Page 550]
copy of the despatch from Mr. Kirk, the United
States minister to the Argentine Republic, under date of the 14th
April, 1863, with the correspondence accompanying the same, received
at this department some time since.
This box is said to contain a medal for the late Mexican General
Zaragoza, presented to him by the citizens of Montevideo.
The delay in its delivery to you has been occasioned by the fact of
your temporary absence in Mexico, and the forgetfulness of the clerk
then in charge of the South American bureau to call the attention of
his successor to the fact of its receipt, and which I trust you will
consider an apology for this apparent but really unintentional
oversight.
I avail myself of this occasion to renew to you, sir, the assurances
of my most distinguished consideration.
Señor Matias Romero, &c., &c.,
&c. Washington, D. C.
[Enclosure No. 1.]
Mr. Kirk to Mr. Seward.
No. 20.]
Legation of the United
States, Buenos Ay res,
April 14,
1863.
Sir: This box contains a medal of some
value from the citizens of Montevideo, to the address of the
president of Mexico. The consul of the “Oriental republic”
called to see me, and requested me to send it to the United
States minister in Mexico. I suggested the propriety of sending
it to Washington, to be given in charge of the Mexican minister;
and agreeably to that suggestion you will confer a special favor
by sending it to the minister, and by acknowledging the receipt
of the same.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Enclosure No.2.—Translation.—Private.]
Your House,
April 13,
1863.
Sir of my distinguished esteem: Having
transmitted to the knowledge of the interested the answer that
you had the goodness to give to the request that was made by my
conduct, of encharging you to give sure direction to a medal
dedicated by the people of Montevideo to the (now deceased)
Mexican General Zaragoza, that precious object has just been
sent to me to be placed in your hands with the indicated
purpose.
In virtue of this, I have the honor to remit you a small package
wrapped with cloth, waxed, sealed with the seal of the Oriental
republic, and addressed to the citizen Benito Juarez, president
of the United States of Mexico, in which the medal is found.
It is very grateful to me to be obliged for the participation
that you have taken in this business; and on making it in the
name of the people of Montevideo, and very particularly in my
own, I am happy that an occasion presents itself to be able to
prove the sentiments of the sincere respect and high esteem with
which I have the honor to subscribe myself your very humble
servant, who kisses your hands,
MARIANO DE ESPINA, Oriental Consul
General.
Robert C. Kirk, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
P. S.—I have to beg you will please acknowledge receipt of
all, so that I may be able to satisfy the interested
parties.
[Enclosure No. 3.]
Legation of the United
States, Buenos Ayres,
April 14,
1863.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of a small package containing a testimonial of
friendship from the good people of Montevideo to the address of
his excellency the president of Mexico, with the request to
transmit the same to its destination.
[Page 551]
It will gives me much pleasure to comply with the request. You
can inform the donors that I shall have an opportunity this week
to send it by my friend, Mr. C. F. Perry, to the Hon. William H.
Seward, Secretary of State of the United States, with the
request to send it to his excellency the Mexican minister, at
Washington.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
Mariano de Espina, Esq., Oriental Consul General, &c., &c.,
&c.
