The President of Mexico to President Taft.

My Dear Mr. President: I avail myself of the journey of the Ambassador D. Francisco L. de la Barra, who will leave this night direct for Washington, to express to you the great satisfaction with which my Government has viewed your favorable manner with respect to the refuge which was granted on board of a Mexican gunboat to the ex-President of Nicaragua, Mr. D. Jose Santos Zelaya, who solicited it from the legation of Mexico.

This attitude of yours in interpreting in a just way an act which could in no way mean a diminution of the sincere friendship which the people and the Government of Mexico feel for the people and the Government of the United States of America, will certainly corroborate the very pleasing belief that the multiple ties which cordially and happily bind together our respective countries are not easily to be broken.

There remains to me only to beg you to continue in well doing, receiving with your characteristic affability and to honor with your confidence the ambassador of Mexico, Mr. D. Francisco L. de la Barra, and that you may believe me your most devoted friend and obedient servant.

Porfirio Diaz.