No. 470.
Mr. Evarts
to Mr. Morgan.
Washington, April 20, 1880.
Sir: Mr. Neill’s No. 5, of the 2d instant, has been received, and the graphic accounts it conveys of the tragic death of three American citizens at Anganqueo in the State of Michoacan, through the violence of a mob, have awakened the liveliest sympathy for the unfortunate victims of such lawless brutality. The prompt steps taken by Mr. Neill to bring the matter to the urgent notice of the Mexican Government deserve commendation.
So far as the occurrence at Anganqueo is now understood, from the telegrams of the Mexican authorities and the letter of Mr. Kitchener, it presents every evidence of being one of those wanton excesses of mob violence for which every government whose citizens have suffered thereby may well expect condign punishment to be visited by the justice of the community in which it has occurred. Without considering any question of private indemnity in advance of more complete information, I have now to direct you to express to the Mexican Government the confident expectation here entertained that nothing will be omitted towards bringing the offenders to the strictest justice according to law.
I am, &c.,