No. 455.
Mr. Foster to Mr. Evarts.

No. 1076.]

Sir: The Department has doubtless been kept advised by Mr. Scott, the consul in Chihuahua, of the progress and results of the revolution in that State which occurred during the months of October and November. The revolutionary movement was inaugurated with the object of getting rid of the governor, General Frias, which was accomplished by armed force, after various encounters and military movements.

Upon the occupation of the State capital by the “pronunciados,” the legislature was convened, and Sr. Tenazas, a former adherent of President Lerdo, was elected provisional governor. The latter has been recognized by the federal government, and the new State officials are in full possession of power.

With these violent political movements in Mexico our government has no concern except so far as they affect American interests, and I regret to call attention to the fact that the American residents of Chihuahua have suffered the usual experience in such cases—forced loans,, violent seizure of property, and disregard of their rights. These are set forth fully in the letter which the consul has addressed to this legation, a copy of which I inclose herewith.

The consul’s complaints are of two kinds: 1st. The forced loans levied and collected upon the American citizens named; and, 2d, the rights and privileges of the consul and the consulate.

I have, in an informal way, presented the cases of the forced loans to the acting minister of foreign affairs, and spoken incidentally to the President on the subject.

The forced loans were levied by the “pronunciados” before the new governor was elected, and on the approach of General Trevino, the commander of the federal forces, the leader of the “pronunciados” retired from the city, but I have insisted with the minister that as the object of the revolution was to overthrow the Frias government and install a new one, that, as the money taken from the American residents by armed [Page 723] force was used to carry out that object, and that as the new government established by the “pronunciados” is now in complete possession or” the State and recognized by the federal executive, the money taken from the American citizens should be returned to them. The minister has promised to obtain full information on the subject, and has manifested an apparently good disposition to have the money refunded if a proper way can be found to do so. I am, therefore, not without hope that I may be able to secure its return.

I respectfully submit the second point presented in the consul’s communication to the Department as to the rights and privileges of the consul and consulate, asking special instructions if it is desired that I should make any representation to the Mexican Government on the subject.

I am, &c.,

JOHN W. FOSTER.
[Inclosure in 1076.]

Mr. Scott to Mr. Foster.

Your note of October 3 came duly to hand. I did not answer it at once, because I knew my reply would in all probability miss you.

I have not yet given up hopes that you may visit us, but I write this hoping to intercept you at Durahgo, so you may be informed of how matters are progressing here. I will now state as briefly as I can what has occurred.

On the 31st ultimo the “pronunciados” against the State government entered the city, about 100 strong, taking the governor prisoner. Their first act was to set at liberty ail the criminals confined in the jail, which act was not calculated to inspire confidence. On the 4th instant the commandant levied a forced loan of $10,000, of which $1,000 was assigned to H. Muller, $500 to H. Nordwald, and $800 to F. Macmanus & Sons, of which you know I am a member. Mr. Muller was absent from the city, and only returned a few days since.

On the 7th four officers and six soldiers entered the house of H. Norwald and took the $500, against which he protested before both myself as consul and a notary public, witnesses. All the officials of the general government, the Gefe de Hacienda, director of the mint, Administrador del Timbre, the telegraph and post-office, deposited their books and valuables in this consulate, for what I presumed was protection and security.

On the 5th instant Messrs. F. Macmanus & Sons deposited all their cash and securities in this consulate, a due record of which was made in the books of this office.

On the morning of the 14th instant an officer brought an order, a copy of which I inclose. I explained to him that the firm was F. Macmanus & Sons, and not Macmaims Bros., as they had put in all their notices, and told him to bring an order addressed to the firm and I would then act upon it.

Before leaving the officer desired to know whether I would pay the money. I told him the money of the firm was deposited in the consulate, and I would shield my interests by the protection of my office, which guaranteed to me exemption from all forced loans, and I showed him the treaty on the subject.

Before he left he told me he would exact $1,800 and take it by force if I made any resistance or did not pay the money on his demand. He then left, and I retired to the street, locking the front door, attached to which was the coat of arms, fully determined to let them break the door open and take what they pleased.

At this juncture my friends advised me not to run useless risks, as it would do no good, &c.

Before long they came, four officers, a blacksmith with his tools to cut away the locks, and fifteen soldiers, all fully armed. These were drawn up in line, and about a stone’s throw from the house. I demanded his order, and he presented it, being the same as the other, with this exception, it was addressed to F. Macmanus &, Sons. I requested time to call on the commandant, which was reluctantly granted. The result was, of course, nothing gained.

On my return I saw resistance was more than, foolish, and concluded that I could not afford to pay $1,200 additional just to have them effect an entrance by force, so I unlocked the front door and they passed in through the zaguan (main door) and thence into [Page 724] the office of the consulate, where were assembled a notary, the German vice-consul, and witnesses. As they laid hands on the bags of money I protested, saying that this was the consulate of the United States, and that the money they were about to take had been deposited in the consulate for protection, all of which went into one ear and out of the other, and, as I wrote to the Department, “they have our money and we have our protest.” Their argument was about this: “As a consul we respect you; but you are also a merchant, and as a merchant you have no rights, and you must pay the money, or suffer the consequences.” They told Mr. Nordwald’s representative in answer to his question by what authority do you demand of me a loan of $500?” The reply was, “Our right is in our power,” and they have clearly proved it. I may be wrong, but it has occurred to me that they cannot touch the property of L. H. Scott as a merchant, illegally, without trespassing upon the privileges of L. H. Scott as consul, and upon this ground I propose to force the matter to a complete and perfect understanding as to the rights of an American consul in Mexico, and the power and willingness of our government to have those rights respected.

They say the young Messrs. Macmanus are Mexican citizens, and I cannot shield their property. What I claim is this, that when they force money from F. Macmanus & Sons, they force money from me, which they have no right to do under our treaty. Then, again, they force money from the estate of F. Macmanus which is certainly an American interest.

We would all be much gratified to have you pay us a visit, and I particularly would like your advice and counsel on this subject.

I am, &c.,

LOUIS H. SCOTT.