Señor Romero to Mr. Seward
Mr. Secretary: I was honored to-day with your note of the 20th instant, enclosing a communication from the Secretary of War, dated 14th of September last, and a letter from John B. Gauche, a citizen of the United States, addressed to General Sheridan, the 14th of August, complaining that the authorities of Matamoras had forced him to pay nineteen hundred dollars.
You requested me, in transmitting to me these papers, to call the attention of my government to the affair. In reply, I have to inform you that I will forward a copy and translation of your note, with documents, to the minister of foreign affairs of the Mexican republic, in Chihuahua, by the next mail.
I beg of you, however, to permit me to say in regard to this subject that, from Mr. Gauche’s own account, most of the money he lost, that is, one thousand dollars, was extorted from him, and never repaid, by Thomas Mejia, who then held Matamoras in the name of the order of things that the French have been endeavoring to establish in Mexico, and that the national government, which the French have been trying to overthrow, in a war without quarter, is not responsible for acts of its enemies invading the territory and attempting to establish illegal authorities.
I must also say that Mejia’s refusal to return Mr. Gauche the five hundred dollars taken from him by Cortina cannot be charged to the Mexican government, for the reasons above stated.
I have no doubt, however, the Mexican government will do all it can to do full justice to Mr. Gauche and other citizens of the United States, who feel themselves aggrieved by acts which are the unavoidable consequences of a war like that now desolating my native land.
I take the occasion to repeat to you, Mr. Secretary, the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., & c., & c.