Campbell to Don Mariano Escobedo, December 8, 1866

Mr. Campbell to General Escobedo

General: I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of your esteemed favor of this date, and beg to express to you my acknowledgments for your polite attention.

In company with Lieutenant General Sherman, I shall have the pleasure of waiting upon you in person at your headquarters in Matamoros at ten o’clock to-morrow.

It is the earnest desire of the government of the United States that the republic of Mexico, of which Don Benito Juarez is the recognized President, should speedily be acknowledged by all the nations of the earth as a stable and permanent nationality.

The purpose of our mission is not to dictate or to interfere with the free will of the people of Mexico in regard to the form of government which they shall adopt. Yet the people of the United States cannot long tolerate the armed intervention of European nations for the subversion of republican institutions in your country.

I am, general, with the highest respect, your most attentive and obedient servant,