Foster to J. M. Lafragua, January 27, 1875

Mr. Foster to Mr. Lafragua.

Sir: Recalling to your excellency’s attention the information which I imparted to you in my visit to-day to the foreign office, communicated to me by the American consul at Acapulco, of an attack made upon a Protestant church last night at that place, and the murder of five persons, among whom was one American citizen, and the wounding of eleven others; and in view of the assassination, at Ahualulco, of Rev. John L. Stephens, an American citizen, I deem it my duty to inform your excellency that there are Protestant missions established in the States of Vera Cruz, Guerrero, Mexico, Puebla, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas, with all of which I am informed there are connected American citizens.

I take the liberty of suggesting to your excellency that specific instructions be issued to the governors or military authorities of said States to afford to them all necessary protection in the safe and peaceable enjoyment of religious worship, which is guaranteed to them by the constitution and laws of Mexico and the treaty between the two republics. It is to be hoped, for the safety of the lives of American citizens, as well as for the good name of Mexico, that such prompt, decisive, and severe measures may be taken as will prevent a recurrence of the shocking barbarity and intolerance manifested at Ahualulco and Acapulco.

With the assurances of my high consideration and esteem, I am your excellency’s obedient servant,