Mr. Plumb to Mr.
Seward
No. 26.]
Legation of the United States.
City of Mexico,
October 28, 1867.
Sir: Enclosed herewith I have the honor to
transmit a copy of the reply of government of Mexico to the formal
communication made by me on the 18th instant, a copy of which is also
enclosed, of your instruction of the 10th of August last, No. 11,
addressed to Mr. Otterbourg, relating to the charge, by the
[Page 467]
government of the United
States, of the interests of the subjects of France and Prussia in
Mexico, and of the subjects of such other states as are now in the
condition of non-representation in this country. The government of
Mexico in this reply reaffirms the position taken by it in its
communication of the 7th of September last, addressed to Mr. Otterbourg,
a copy of which I transmit to the department by this mail, with despatch
No. 20, of the 19th instant, and is unwilling to admit the action
proposed by the United States.
The motive urged, and, I believe, with all sincerity, for this
unwillingness in the several conversations I have had upon this subject
with Mr. Lerdo de Tejada, is their extreme desire to avoid any
possibility of complications or of difficulties with the United States,
and the fear that were European subjects once fully under the protection
of the United States, they having no American interests, might be the
means of creating American embarrassment.
With regard to the position now of European subjects in. this country, it
is my duty to report that I am informed by M. Farine, who is in charge
of French interests here, by Baron Magnus, late Prussian minister to
Maximilian, by Mr. Middleton, the English charge d’affaires, by M.
Beneke, Prussian consul and an old resident here, and by French and
German merchants generally, that since the government of the republic
entered the capital, there had been nothing to complain of in its course
towards foreigners.
That there is a determination on the part of this government that no just
cause of complaint shall be given, I feel well assured.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Plumb to Señor Lerdo de Tejada
Legation of the United States,
City of Mexico,
October 18, 1867.
Sir: It has been intimated to the
government of the United States by the representatives of France and
Prussia, residing at Washington, that owing to peculiar
circumstances the governments of those countries are left for the
present without diplomatic or consular representation to the
republican government of Mexico, and that occasions may arise in
which subjects of those governments may have need of some facilities
of communication with the republic.
Under these circumstances the United States, in conformity with a
political custom which has long obtained, and is sanctioned by and
has regard to the general interests of civilization, have consented
to allow its diplomatic and consular representatives in Mexico to
take charge of the interests of subjects of those States in Mexico,
and of any other states whose governments are found in the same
condition of non-representation in this republic.
I am instructed, however, that this can only be done with the consent
and acquiescence of Mexico; and no proceedings are authorized to be
taken by United States representatives in behalf of subjects of such
foreign states different from the course prescribed by the
government of the United States for its representatives, for the
protection of the interests of citizens of the United States. I am
further directed by the government of the United States to
communicate the contents of this instruction to the government of
the republic of Mexico, and to ask an expression of its views
thereupon.
I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, your excellency’s
most obedient servant,
His Excellency Señor Don Sebastian Lerdo be
Tejada,
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United
Mexican States.
[Translation.]
Señor Lerdo de Tejada to
Mr. Plumb
Department of Foreign Kelations,
Mexico,
October 26, 1867.
Sir: You were pleased to communicate to me,
in your note of the 18th instant, that on the application of the
representatives of France and of Prussia resident at Washington, the
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government of the
United States assented that its diplomatic and consular
representatives in Mexico should take in charge the interests of the
subjects of those two nations, and of any others that at this time
have no representation in this republic, with the understanding,
nevertheless, that this could only be with the consent and
acquiescence of Mexico, and that the representative of the United
States would not move in respect of subjects of other nations, but
in the manner which would be authorized by their government in
respect to citizens of the United States.
On this subject I addressed a note on the 7th of September last to
Mr. Marcus Otterbourg, then minister of the United States to
Mexico.
The government of the republic holds in the highest estimation its
good and friendly relations with the United States, earnestly
desiring to avoid every danger of any difference occurring between
them.
For this grave reason, as I made known to Mr. Otterbourg, the
government has felt a difficulty about the representatives of the
United States in Mexico taking in charge the interests of the
subjects of other nations.
Although they have no direct representation, the government provides
with especial care that they be protected by the Mexican
authorities, and enjoy the guarantees which the laws of the republic
concede to them. The efficient protection they receive has been the
cause that they make no complaints under these circumstances.
Referring, therefore, to what I said to Mr. Otterbourg, and to which
I have also had the honor to say to you verbally, I only wish to
repeat that the government of Mexico acts in this matter with the
highest sentiments of friendship and consideration.
I am, sir, with the highest and most respectful consideration, your
obedient servant.
His Excellency Mr. Edward Lee Plumb,
Chargé d’ Affaires of the United States of
North America in Mexico.
