Mr. Seward to Mr. Otterbourg
Sir: Your despatch No. 42, of the 20th ultimo, was received at this department on the 3d instant.
The report you make respecting the disposition of the government of President Juarez to temper justice with clemency towards the prisoners made at Queretaro, Vera Cruz, and Mexico, is gratifying.
In the latter part of your despatch you allude to the pretensions of very many American citizens now congregated at the capital. In reply thereto, I here quote, for your government upon the subject of claims, an extract from an instruction of this department, addressed to Mr. L. D. Campbell, late minister to Mexico, on the 23d of March last:
You will make no representation to that government on the subject, and in no event without having reported to the department on the subject in the several cases, in order that especial instructions may be forwarded to you.
In the present unsettled condition of the government in Mexico it is not deemed compatible with the interests of this government, nor conducive to the establishment of a friendly understanding with the republic of Mexico, to press with importunity the pecuniary claims of citizens of the United States. The subject will, at a proper time, receive due consideration on the part of this government.
It is the desire of the United States not to hinder but to favor the consolidation of republican institutions in Mexico. Importunity in presenting claims must tend to embarrass her efforts in that direction.
You will likewise be careful not to take part in any of the many projects and speculations now said to be maturing in Mexico, nor will you present nor urge these speculations upon the government, in any case, unless directly and specially instructed by this department.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Marcus Otterbourg, Esq., &c., &c., &c.