Mr. Plumb to Mr.
Seward.
No. 178.]
Legation of the United States,
City of Mexico,
August 21, 1868.
Sir: Under the instructions contained in your
dispatch No. 65, of the 29th of May last, received by duplicate on the
13th instant, relating to the death of Mr. John Braniff, a citizen of
the United States, from wounds inflicted by a band of robbers while at
work upon the Puebla branch of the Mexico and Vera Cruz railway, in
April last, I addressed a note to the department of foreign affairs of
this government, on the 14th instant, of which I beg to transmit a copy
herewith. I have to-day received a reply, under date of the 18th
instant, from Mr. Azpiroz, in charge of the department, of which I beg
also to transmit a copy and translation herewith.
In this reply it is stated that as there are not in the department of
[Page 569]
foreign affairs antecedents
relative to whether the apprehension of the murderers of Mr. Braniff has
been effected, the necessary information has been asked from the
governors of the States of Puebla and Tlax-cala, and that when it
arrives the government will direct what injustice may be required.
Mr. Azpiroz takes exception to the observation contained in my note, that
cases such as that treated of are unfortunately common in Mexico, and
that their frequency is no doubt owing to the comparative impunity of
the offenders.
I have not thought it necessary to make any reply to his remarks under
this head, unless I should receive your instructions to that effect.
I have the honor to be. very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Plumb to Señor Azpiroz.
Legation of the United
States, Mexico,
August 14, 1868.
Sir: In a dispatch under date of the 29th
of May last, but which only reached me yesterday, I am advised that
the Department of State at Washington has been informed by Mr.
Black, the vice-consul of the United States in this city, of the
death of Mr. John Braniff, a citizen of the United States, from
wounds inflicted by a band of robbers at a bridge on the Puebla
branch of the Mexico and Vera Cruz railway, in April last.
The Secretary of State adds, that although such events may and do
happen in every country, they are unfortunately common in Mexico,
and their frequency is no doubt owing to the comparative impunity of
the offenders.
I am instructed to bring this case to the attention of the Mexican
government, and to express the expectation of the government of the
United States that the government of Mexico will exert all its
authority to bring the murderers of Mr. Braniff to justice. I have
the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. Manuel Azpiroz, Chief Cleric in charge of the Department of Foreign Affairs
of the Mexican Republic.
[Translation.]
Señor Azpiroz to Mr. Plumb.
Department of Foreign
Relations, Mexico,
August 18, 1868.
Sir: I received yesterday your note of the
14th of the present month, in which you have been pleased to
communicate to me that you have instructions from your government to
submit to the consideration of the Mexican government the case of
the assassination committed by certain robbers upon the person of
the citizen of the United States, Mr. John Braniff, at Santa Cruz,
between Apizaco and Puebla, in the month of April last; and to state
that the government of the United States expects that of Mexico will
use all its authority to have the assassins delivered up to
justice.
As there are not in this department antecedents relative to whether
the apprehension of the murderers of Mr. Braniff has been effected,
the necessary information was yesterday asked from the governors of
Puebla and Tlaxcala, and when it arrives the government will direct
what in justice may be required.
To this I should limit myself, if in your said note there was not
found the idea that to the impunity which, up to a certain point,
criminals have in Mexico, it is due, without doubt, that cases such
as that treated of are more frequent in this than in other
countries.
If with impartiality the circumstances of Mexico are considered—due
to the war which for a long time has overthrown public order in this
country, and to other causes well known to all, but beyond the
volition and against the interests of the people and of the
government of Mexico—neither the government nor the people of Mexico
can be
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blamed because
robberies and assassinations are committed here; nor, in comparing
these crimes with those that are found to be committed in
established countries in identical circumstances with those of
Mexico, can the statement be ventured that they are here more
frequent.
Notorious are the efforts that the government has made and is making
to completely re-establish security for the lives, the rights, and
the property of all the inhabitants of the republic. These efforts
have so far had the best possible results.
The malefactors apprehended are submitted to the tribunals, or
exemplarily punished in the act of being caught en
flagrante, in conformity with the laws of the country.
The constant and efficacious persecution of evil doers, and their
treatment according to the laws, is very far from signifying
impunity.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
MANUEL AZPIROZ, Chief
Clerk.
Mr. Edward Lee Plumb, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States of America in
Mexico.
