File No. 312.41/137.
The Secretary of State to Consul Letcher.
Washington, February 27, 1914.
You will please arrange for special train offered by Villa and take charge of same under instructions from Department as to time of starting and other details. Will notify you at Juarez as to names of members of party. In view of your residence there it might embarrass you to inspect body. Do you understand that we can have two officials beside yourself or two including you? The British Consul at Galveston is now in El Paso and will represent the British Government. Please impress upon Villa importance of giving fullest protection to party. It would be unfortunate if any discourtesy was shown to British Consul. Delivery of body is earnestly desired by widow and we still hope that Villa will yield this point.