[Translation.]

Señor Romero to Mr. Seward.

Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to acknowledge the reception of the note which you were pleased to address to me to-day, calling my attention to the outrages said to have been committed recently upon the persons of respectable American merchants residing in Monterey, and requesting me to endeavor to effect a prompt settlement of the unpleasant affair.

In reply, I have the honor to inform you that a statement of the affair was published in a newspaper while I was in Mexico.

Disapprobation of the event was officially expressed by the government of the republic as soon as the occurrence became publicly known, and a proper investigation was ordered to ascertain the truth, and in view of it to take the steps it might be deemed just and opportune.

It is true that shortly before I left the city of Mexico the government of the republic received the information necessary to enable it to form a[Page 636]judgment of the painful incident, with full cognizance of the cause; and when all the particulars have come to hand, it will proceed to fix the responsibility, in accordance with the laws of the republic, upon the persons found guilty, and to satisfy those who may have been injured in consequence of those events in the manner it may believe to be most equitable.

I cannot let this occasion pass without informing you that the government of Mexico, which justly appreciates the friendship and good intelligence of the United States, not only never will authorize any act that may be considered unfriendly towards the government of this country, or to its citizens, but whenever an unlucky occurrence, to its regret, damages citizens of the United States, it will hasten, as it has done in the present case, to investigate the facts, in order to do full justice to those who may be wrongfully injured.

I am pleased to have this occasion to renew to you, Mr. Secretary, the assurances of my very distinguished consideration.

M. ROMERO.

Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.