Office of the Historian

Mr. Scott to Mr. F. W. Seward.

No. 40.]
United States Consulate, Matamoras, June 29, 1868.

Sir: I have the honor to state that I have been appealed to by Dr. W. L. Huchinson, an American citizen, to make a protest against an illegal seizure and confiscation of $1,600 in Mexican gold belonging to him, taken by the Mexican officials of Matamoras, about the 12th of May last, as he was leaving this city for his home in Tuxpan, Mexico.

I wrote Mr. Plumb on the subject, May 27th, but have received no reply. The basis upon which I made the protest dated May 21, 1868:

1. The change was an attempt to export the money without paying duties; evidence to the contrary produced.

2. The proceedings were illegal.

3. The Mexican official did not report the full amount taken, and an attempt made to conceal a portion of the money while counting in the custom-house, which was discovered by an American who was called in as a witness.

4. The said Mexican official did propose to make a compromise with said Huchinson, by proposing to pay him $250 of his own money, provided he would sign a receipt in full, and obligate himself not to take any further action in the case. I had satisfactory evidence of the truth of the above, and the receipt referred to, written by a Mexican official, before me at the time I protested against the proceedings. I have a copy of said receipt on file. In reply I was informed that they could not take into consideration my protest.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

THOMAS W, SCOTT, United States Consul.

Hon. F. W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

[Untitled]

United States Consulate, Matamoras, May 21, 1868.

I, T. W. Scott, consul of the United States of America for the port of Matamoras, and the dependencies thereof, do hereby certify that W. L. Huchinson, an American citizen, to me well known, personally appeared before me this day, who, being by me duly sworn, deposes and says that his home is in Tuxpan, Mexico. Deponent says that, on or about the fourth of this instant, as he was attempting to leave this city he was arrested by the custom-house employes, and his money, amounting to $1,600 in Mexican gold, [Page 539] was taken from him; and he, said Huchinson, deposes and says that he assured said official that he did not intend to export said money, and if he had violated any law he was not aware of it, and he was ready and willing to pay any legal charge if any. He was referred to the courts for redress, and, after which, deponent was informed that his money was confiscated, but they, the custom-house officials, would give him $250, provided he would take no further action in the case, and sign a receipt to that effect, which he, said deponent, refused to do.

W. L. HUCHINSON.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and date above written.

In testimony whereof witness my hand and seal of this consulate.

[seal.]

THOMAS W. SCOTT, United States Consul.