Mr. Seward to Mr. Romero
Sir:I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 6th instant, in which, in your character of envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United Mexican States, accredited to the government of the United States of America, you enter your protest, in the most formal, energetic, and solemn manner, against any settlement or cession, either made or to be made by the ex-Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Austria, in the name of Mexico, with the Emperor of the French, or with any other government, by which he alienates or hypothecates Mexican territory, or in any manner compromises the responsibility of the Mexican republic.
This measure you are led to take under the circumstances more fully detailed in your note, believing it to be in consonance with your most sacred duties as the representative of Mexico.
In reply, it affords me pleasure to state that the protest referred to will be placed upon file in the archives of this department, there to remain a testimony to your course in the premises and as an additional evidence of the zealous and patriotic discharge of your functions as the minister of Mexico in the United States, and for such other uses and purposes as future events may render it necessary to apply it.
I avail myself of this occasion to offer to you, sir, the renewal of my very high and distinguished consideration.
Señor Matias Romero, &c., &c., &c., Washington, D. C.