Mr. Seward to Mr. Plumb.
Sir: I have received your dispatch of the 21st of August, No. 178, which relates to the death of Mr. John Braniff, a citizen of the United States, of wounds inflicted by a band of robbers, while at work on the Mexico and Yera Cruz railway.
Your proceeding is approved, and the engagement which the Mexican government has made to investigate the complaint, and its assurance that upon such investigation the government will direct what justice may require, is entirely satisfactory.
In my dispatch No. 65, I did, indeed, say, in connection with this case, “that though such events may and do happen in every foreign country, they are unfortunately common in Mexico, and their frequency is no doubt owing to the comparative impunity of the offenders.”
The Mexican minister seems to except to this remark. When writing that dispatch I was not forgetful of the civil war through which Mexico has so recently passed, and the strenuous efforts of the new government to restore peace and order throughout the republic. I think that no nation has showed itself more just and liberal, under those circumstances, to the Mexican authorities than the United States. It is the earnest desire of this government that mutual confidence may exist between the people of the two republics. The Mexican government cannot be unaware that very sedulous efforts are made by its enemies in the present hour of its trial to destroy this confidence on the part of the American people. The fact that murders and robberies are frequently committed on the public highways of the country, nothwithstanding the efforts of the Mexican government to prevent and punish them, is a weapon in the hands of those enemies of which I earnestly desire to disarm them.
It is both natural and right in itself that the people of the United States should be disturbed and excited by reiterated complaints of wrong, indignity, and injustice to their fellow citizens in Mexico as in other foreign countries. I seek to bring this painful fact to the attention of the Mexican government.
With this explanation I trust that the remark to which the Mexican [Page 583] minister for foreign affairs refers will not be regarded as having been made in a spirit either unfriendly or unjust towards Mexico.
You may read this dispatch to the minister for foreign affairs and give him a copy of the same, if he shall desire it.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Edward L. Plumb, Esq., &c., &c., &c.