Mr. Otterbourg to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of despatch of 8th August, 1867, and to reply respectfully that prior thereto I had in the disposal of reclamations against the government of Mexico been generally guided by the spirit noted in the instructions to Mr. L. D. Campbell of 23d March, 1867.
In anticipation of the danger to the friendly relations prevailing between the two republics, threatened by the complications which must inevitably grow out of the many projects and schemes presented or maturing in Mexico, I had already pursued the policy therein defined and have communicated the instructions on the subject to Mr. Cripps, in charge of the consulate, who, imbued thoroughly with the same spirit, is prepared to fulfil on my departure the wishes of the department in this important particular.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.