Ignacio Mariscal to Thomas H Nelson, December 15, 1871

Mr. Mariscal to Mr. Nelson.

Sir: I have had the honor to receive your excellency’s note of the 13th instant, in which, according to instructions from the honorable Secretary of State of the United States, you were pleased to transmit me a copy of a note which the minister of the United States at Paris had addressed to his Government, advising it of the good offices with which he had favored the Mexican citizens in France; and also a copy of the reply given by the Hon. Mr. Fish to the said minister, approving his course, and authorizing him to continue the same, if the French government should not object to it.

The government of Mexico has, on a previous occasion, manifested its gratitude for the good offices rendered by the representative of the United States of America in France in behalf of the Mexican citizens residing in that republic, and it is again exceedingly satisfactory for me to reiterate that manifestation, by means of your excellency, to the Government of the United States and its worthy representative at Paris.

Although Mr. Arm and Montluc is named private commercial agent of Mexico in that city, having his residence No. 10 Rue Notre Dame de Lorette, and has, consequently, under his charge the care of the interests of Mexican citizens, his action for this purpose may in many cases be ineffectual, lacking as does the character of a public representative, recognized by the French government. For this reason, in similar cases, the good offices of the minister of the United States at Paris will always be of the greatest importance for Mexicans, provided that they be allowed by the French authorities, as has been the case up to the present time.

Your excellency will have the goodness to make known this communication to the honorable Secretary of State of the United States, and accept anew the assurances of the high consideration with which,

I am, &c.,