Mr. Clayton to Mr.
Hay.
American Embassy,
Mexico, December 12,
1904.
No. 2569.]
Sir: Referring to my No. 2477 of October 11
last, inclosing a copy, our translation of a report from the district
court of Tamaulipas, showing its decision in the case against Messrs. H.
C. Harding and P. E. Dugat for an infraction of the general customs
regulations, I have the honor to inclose a copy of a communication from
the vice-consul at Matamoros suggesting, as the penalty appears severe,
that every effort be made to obtain their pardon from the Mexican
authorities.
I respectfully ask to be informed whether any further action is required
of me in the premises.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Sielenberg
to Mr. Clayton.
American Consulate,
Matamoros, October 29,
1904.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge
receipt of your communication of the 11th instant, in relation to
the case of Messrs. Harding and Dugat.
Consul Griffith being absent, I have made an investigation of the
facts in connection with the said case, and in my opinion they,
Harding and Dugat, have been severely punished already for any
technical offense they may have committed against the customs
regulations.
Their offense consisted in taking about $10 Mexican worth of
provisions for their personal use out of the city of Matamoros,
without having first obtained
[Page 471]
the permit required by the customs
regulations, which permit they could have obtained at a nominal
expense.
No facts have developed in this case to cause any change of the
original report made to you by Consul Griffith in his communications
of August 19 and September 30, 1904.
It is very evident that neither Harding nor Dugat had any intention
of violating the law or of defrauding the revenues of this Republic,
and I believe their case to be a meritorious one, requiring your
good offices and I most earnestly recommend that every effort be
made to obtain their pardon from the Mexican authorities.
I have, etc.,
