Mr. Seward to Mr. Romero
Department of State, Washington,
August 29, 1867.
Sir: I have just received a private,
unofficial letter from Mr. Sanford, United States minister at
Belgium, of which I give you a copy.
The letter came to me accompanied by a letter of Mr. Jules Devaux,
chief
[Page 668]
of the cabinet of
the King of Belgium, the effect of which is stated in Mr. Sanford’s
letter. Certainly, neither the republic of Mexico nor the United
States have reason to feel themselves obliged by the proceedings of
Mr. Eloin, the secretary of the late Prince Maximilian. But Mexico,
as well as the United States, can now well afford to practice
magnanimity to the followers of that fallen leader. I think it
inexpedient to make an official intercession in behalf of Mr. Eloin,
but I am permitted by the President to address you this informal
note, recommending through your good offices the indulgence of
clemency in Mr. Eloin’s case by the Mexican government.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Señor Don Matias Romero, &c., &c., &c.
[Untitled]
Brussels,
August 16, 1867.
Dear Sir: The enclosed note is from Mr.
Jules Devaux, chef de cabinet of the King, asking for you
intervention in behalf of his friend M. Eloin, late secretary of
Maximilian, and a Belgian, who is in imminent peril in a Mexican
prison.
If you can be instrumental in saving his life, while the act will
but be in keeping with your life-long principles, it will also
be highly appreciated here, where he has many friends,
especially in the court and government, and the occasion to show
magnanimity on the part of the republican government is a good
one, now that the opportunity is lost in a higher case.
Very respectfully and truly yours,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
[Untitled]
My Dear Sanford: One of my best friends
whom I consider as my brother, and whom I knew since I was born,
has been consigned to prison at Mexico, by order of Porfirio
Diaz, as a victim of the last revolution, had under the stupid
accusation of dilapidation; it is exactly as if they should tell
me that my father or my brother was robbed.
Hooreis, our charge d’affaires, asked for him the protection of
the United States consul, and I don’t know whether it has been
granted to him. But I address myself to your friendship and
sense of humanity to ask that you would do whatever you can to
save my friend M. Eloin. You are a personal friend of Mr.
Seward, and I ask as a personal service from you that you should
write a line to him and ask him to direct his consul at Mexico
to act in favor of my friend. Eloin is now a
terre quiet, inoffensive to the Mexicans; there can be
no harm for them in saving his life, and if it can be obtained
it is by the American authorities. Pray, my dear Sanford, do
what you can, and I shall be eternally grateful to you.
Yours, truly,
