No. 481.
Mr. Foster
to Mr. Fish.
Legation of
the United States,
Mexico, May 9, 1874.
(Received May 26.)
No. 143.]Sir: In my dispatch No. 135, April 10, I informed
you of the action
[Page 749]
of the Mexican
government, up to that date, in relation to Alexander D. Hamilton, a
fugitive from justice in the. United States.
On the 27th ultimo I was informed by the minister of foreign affairs that he
had addressed a circular to the governors of a number of the States of the
republic, stating that it was possible that the said Hamilton may have
proceeded to some one of the States, and that the President had recommended
them to take the necessary measures for his arrest. He at the same time
requested me to furnish his department with a description of Hamilton’s
person, in order to facilitate his capture. (Inclosure 1.) The legation not
having been furnished with said description, I sent a telegram to the consul
at Matamoras to forward it to me without delay.
I having personally communicated to the foreign office the fact that it was
reported that Hamilton might be found at San Fernando de Presas, on the 2d
instant I received a note from that department informing me that the
minister of war had dispatched a party of dragoons to that point with proper
instructions to effect his arrest. (Inclosure 2.)
Up to this date I have no further advices.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
143.—Translation.]
Mr. Lafragua to Mr.
Foster.
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Mexico, April 27,
1874.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose a copy of a
communication addressed me by the war department on the subject of the
fugitive, Alexander Hamilton, informing your excellency that this
department, under my charge, has at once addressed a circular to the
governors of the States of Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Zacatecas, San Luis
Potosi, Guanajuato, Jalisco, and Querétaro, stating to them that it is
possible that the said Alexander Hamilton may have proceeded to some one
of these States under the name of Thomas M. Morgan, or other, and that
this government having an interest in preventing the action of justice
from being overreached, the President of the republic recommends them to
take the necessary measures for the arrest of Hamilton, informing this
department thereof immediately by telegraph, and holding said individual
at the disposal of this department.
If your legation can furnish the filiation of Hamilton, I shall be much
obliged to your excellency for so doing, as it would facilitate his
capture with the less difficulty.
On this occasion I renew to your excellency the assurance of my perfect
and attentive consideration.
[Inclosure in 1 In No.
143.—Translation.]
Mr. Mejia to Mr.
Lafragua.
Department of War, Mexico, April 25, 1874.
Citizen Minister of Foreign
Affairs:
In a telegram of yesterday, from Matamoras, the citizen colonel, José L.
Cristo, makes to me the following statement:
“Referring to your two telegrams of the 19th and 20th received to-day,
Alexander Hamilton is absent; it has been publicly said that he took
passage for Mexico, via Monterey, in the diligence of the 12th of
February, under the name of Thomas M. Morgan. The American consulate
does not know where he is; should he be discovered, I will proceed to
obey the order of your ministry. The extradition was demanded of the
court of instance, which sent me a requisition for his arrest. I replied
that the troops were at its service, and no further communication was
made me. By mail I send the printed correspondence.”
I transcribe the above as the result of your communication on the
subject.
Independence and liberty!
[Page 750]
[Inclosure 2 in No.
143.—Translation.]
Mr. Arias to Mr.
Foster.
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Mexico, May 2,
1874.
Sir: Herewith I have the honor to send for your
excellency’s information a copy of a communication from the war
department, as to the most recent steps taken to effect the arrest of
Alexander D. Hamilton.
I am, very respectfully, your excellency’s obedient servant,
(Through illness of the minister.)
JUAN D. ARIAS,
Chief
Clerk.
[Inclosure in 2 in No.
143.—Translation.]
Mr. Mejia to Mr.
Lafragua.
Department of War, Mexico, April 29,
1874.
Citizen Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Present:
I yesterday sent the following telegram to the citizen Colonel José L.
Cristo, at Matamoros:
“The citizen President directs you to send an officer of your entire
confidence with a party of dragoons to San Fernando de Presas, to effect
the arrest of Alexander Hamilton, who is said to be in the house of one
Cuellar. By direction of the President you will make requisition upon
the force of customs-guards at that place, to render such assistance as
may be necessary.”
And I have to-day received the following telegram in reply thereto:
“In this moment I send an officer, as you direct in your message of
to-day, with the proper instructions, in order to effect the arrest of
Alexander Hamilton, said to be at San Fernando, in the house of Cuellar.
I will give you timely information of the result.”
All of which I have the honor to transcribe to you for your
information.
Independence and liberty!
