Ambassador Thompson
to the Secretary of State.
American Embassy,
Mexico, May 19,
1906.
No. 56.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith
copies and translations of a note from Minister Mariscal and its
inclosure, as well as a copy of my reply thereto, relating to the humane
assistance rendered to the town of Magdalena, Lower California, by
Rear-Admiral Goodrich, to suppress the epidemic of diphtheria which
afflicted the children of said port during the recent stay of the
American Pacific Naval Squadron at Magdalena Bay. As requested by the
foreign office, I have transmitted to Rear-Admiral Goodrich, with my
letter of this date, inclosure 6, copies of the above-mentioned
correspondence.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure
1.—Translation.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Ambassador Thompson.
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Mexico, May
7, 1906.
Mr. Ambassador: I have the honor to
transmit to your excellency a copy of a note addressed to me by tlie
secretary of war and marine in which he has included a communication
from the military commander at La Paz, Lower California, relating to
the stay at Magdalena Bay of the American squadron, which, under the
command of Rear-Admiral Goodrich, held target practice at said
place.
The Mexican Government has seen with singular gratification the
humane conduct of Rear-Admiral Goodrich in sending the physicians of
his squadron to assist in checking the epidemic of diphtheria which
afflicted said part of the country and in graciously furnishing the
necessary medicines. I therefore beg your excellency that, through
the channels you may deem proper, Rear-Admiral Goodrich be informed
of the sentiments of gratitude caused by his altruistic action.
I avail myself, etc.,
[Subinclosure.—Translation.]
The Secretary of War and
Marine to the Secretary for Foreign
Affairs.
Department of War and Marine.—Mexico.
The colonel in command of the military forces at La Paz, Lower
California, informs me as follows:
“I have the honor to bring to the attention of your department that
the port master at Magdalena Bay, by his communication No. 161, of
the 5th instant, has informed me of the following: ‘I beg to report
to the office under your charge that after the American naval
squadron remained here during thirty days, holding artillery and
rifle target practice, it sailed to-day at 5 p.m. in the direction
of San Diego, Cal. I consider it my duty to inform you that during
the time that said squadron was here not an incident occurred
contrary to the stipulations of the permission which, for the
purpose above mentioned, was granted by the department of war and
marine, and that Rear-Admiral Goodrich and his officers, the crew
inclusive, conformed their acts to said permission, and not [Page 1124] withstanding the large
number of seamen (1,386) who came ashore to play ball, they
conducted themselves in perfect order. As a matter outside of the
stipulations of the permission and owing to the exceptional
conditions of the bay to careen vessels, the Rear-Admiral verbally
asked to be allowed to strand, clean, and paint all of the boats of
the squadron (20 boats), which the undersigned permitted without
consulting your office, on account of the lack of rapid
communication. When the paint and its components were brought ashore
from the flagship, the Rear-Admiral had the delicacy of sending the
same to my office, to the end that I would see that the articles
were just sufficient for the 20 boats. Among many other marks of
deference on the part of the Rear-Admiral, I beg to mention
especially the one in which the Admiral, in accordance with the
undersigned, ordered that, on account of the epidemic of diphtheria
among the children of the locality, the four physicians of the
squadron’s service would assist, each in their turn, in the work of
checking the epidemic, which they accomplished in eight days. To
that effect the Rear-Admiral furnished the medicines gratis.’”
Which I have the honor to transmit to the department under your
worthy charge, to the end that if you consider it agreeable you may
thank the Government of the United States on account of the
courtesies received from Rear-Admiral Goodrich during the stay of
the American squadron at Magdalena Bay.
I renew, etc.,
G. Cosio.
Mexico, April 27,
1906.
[Inclosure 2.]
Ambassador Thompson to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs.
American Embassy,
Mexico, May 19,
1906.
Mr. Minister: I have the pleasure to
acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s very courteous note of
the 7th instant and of its inclosure relating to the assistance
rendered by Rear-Admiral Goodrich, commander of the Pacific Naval
Squadron of the United States, to the town of Magdalena, to suppress
the epidemic of diphtheria which afflicted the children of said
locality during the stay of said squadron at Magdalena Bay, and
complying with your excellency’s wishes to have the Admiral informed
of the sentiments of gratitude caused by his altruistic action, I
have on this date sent him a copy of your esteemed note and of its
inclosure.
This opportunity affords me the pleasure, etc.,
[Inclosure 3.]
Ambassador Thompson to Rear-Admiral Goodrich.
American Embassy,
Mexico, May 19,
1906.
Sir: It affords me much pleasure to
transmit to you for your information the inclosed copies and
translations of a note from the foreign office and of a
communication from the department of war and marine of Mexico which
accompanied said note, expressing the high appreciation of the
Mexican authorities of your kind assistance to suppress the epidemic
of diphtheria which afflicted the children of the port of Magdalena
during the recent visit of your squadron to Magdalena Bay.
I have, etc.,
