Mr. Clayton to Mr.
Hay.
American Embassy,
Mexico, August 4,
1904.
No. 2378.]
Sir: Referring to previous correspondence
relating to the arrest and imprisonment at Matamoros of Messrs. H. C.
Harding and H. E. Dugat, I have the honor to transmit a copy of
correspondence between the American consul at Matamoros and this embassy
relating to the case.
For the reasons stated in the consul’s letter, I have, in my note to-day
(copy inclosed) again brought the matter to the attention of
[Page 464]
the Mexican foreign office,
invoking the minister’s good offices for the expedition of the judicial
proceedings in these cases.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure
1.—Translation.]
Mr. Griffith to
Mr. Clayton.
American Consulate,
Matamoros, July 29,
1904.
Sir: I have the honor to advise you that
the case of Harding and Dugat, concerning which I telegraphed you
last January, has never been settled. My intercession in their
behalf had the effect of a reduction of their bond from $2,000 gold
to $300 Mexican and their release, but the case has never been
settled. This $300 bond still hangs over them. One of the men is a
rice planter near Matamoros, on the Mexican side, and is desirous of
visiting his children, near Houston, but can not leave on account of
this bond. I take the liberty of suggesting that you write to Lie.
José H. Serret, judge of the second district, in Nuevo Laredo, to
whose court the case has been transferred, and see if you can obtain
any information as to when this case will be settled, or do whatever
else you deem proper.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Clayton to
Mr. Mariscal.
American Embassy,
Mexico, August 4,
1904.
Mr. Minister: Referring your excellency to
my notes of January 14, 18, and 26 and February 16, 1904, relative
to the arrest at Matamoros of Messrs. H. C. Harding and H. E. Dugat,
charged with an infraction of the fiscal laws, and to your
excellency’s notes of the 14th of January and 10th of February last
on the subject, I now have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of
a communication from the American consul at Matamoros, from which it
appears that these cases are still pending.
For the reasons stated therein I invoke the good offices of your
excellency for the expedition of the judicial proceedings in these
cases.
I renew, etc.,
