Foster to John A. Sutter, February 12, 1875

Mr. Foster to Mr. Sutter.

Sir: I thank you for your full and interesting report of the assault upon the Protestant church at Acapulco, No. 27, of February 3, with a statement of the subsequent events. I will transmit a copy of it to the Department of State for its information and action. I have called the attention of the government here to the condition of affairs as represented by you, and I am assured that the federal government is doing and will do all within its power to punish the criminals and preserve the peace.

Permit me to call your attention to a point which does not sufficiently appear in your letter to the governor. You will notice that in my letter I referred only to the murder of Americans, and not to Protestants in general. While we desire to see full enjoyment of religious worship for all, we can only officially interfere in behalf of American citizens.

Mr. Skilton has not yet returned.

Very truly,