Henry Scholfield to Don Marco A. Soto, May 2, 1874

Mr. Scholfield to Señor Soto.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s dispatch of April 25, informing me of the outrage on Vice-Consul Magee at San José, and of the steps taken by the government of the republic in connection therewith.

I cheerfully bear witness to the horror and indignation with which, not only all the members of your government, but all classes of society in Guatemala have reprobated this deplorable event; and I have seen with the greatest satisfaction the energy and good feeling that were displayed by the President and all the ministers, who by their thoughtfulness and promptitude have avoided what, at one time, threatened to become a catastrophe for the republic.

The frank and loyal explanations and apologies, so spontaneously tendered to my government, reflect the utmost honor on this administration, who have thus proved that they sincerely desire to protect with equal rights the native and the foreigner.

In congratulating myself on the settlement of this matter, I have to thank your excellency for the conciliatory and friendly manner in which the negotiations have been conducted.

I avail myself of this opportunity to repeat to your excellency the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.