Señor Cayetano Romero to Mr. Foster.

[Translation.]

Mr. Secretary: I have had the honor to receive your note of yesterday, inclosing a copy of two communications which had been transmitted to you by the honorable Acting Secretary of War, both from Gen. Frank Wheaton, in command of the Military Department of Texas, reporting the capture on the 22d ultimo, by a detachment of U. S. troops, commanded by Lieut. J. C. Dickman, Third Cavalry, of Francisco Benavides, Prudencio Gonzales, and Cecilio Echeverria, who [Page 442] took a prominent part in the attack on San Ignacio, and committed the atrocious murders of the Mexican officers and soldiers who were doing garrison duty at that place, and also the steps which have been taken by the consul of Mexico at San Antonio, before Hon. L. F. Price, U. S. extradition commissioner, for the western judicial district of Texas, to secure the extradition of the aforesaid outlaws, which Gen. Wheaton hopes will receive the support of this Government in the interest of good order and peace on that frontier.

I thank you for transmitting these communications of Gen. Wheaton to me, and I shall communicate them to my government without delay, not doubting that it will be glad to be informed of the capture of these criminals and especially of the steps which have been taken to secure their extradition, which steps it is to be hoped will be successful.

The zeal displayed by the U. S. troops in pursuing the outlaws (they having suffered the privations and hardships which are inseparable from such a pursuit in that part of the country) is worthy of the highest praise, while their success in capturing the outlaws in question reflects great credit upon those who effected the capture.

Be pleased to accept, etc.,

C. Romero.