JUAN VALDEZ, First Officer to Paso del Norte, January 18, 1866, January 18, 1866

[Translation.]

MEXICAN REPUBLIC—SEAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN RELATIONS AND GOVERNMENT.

Paso del Norte, January 18, 1866.

Sir: I received your communication of yesterday, informing me that Colonel Edward B. Willis, of the first United States volunteer infantry of New Mexico, commanding the expedition against the Apache Indians at Fort Selden, New Mexico, had directed you, by order of the commander of the district, General James H. Carleton, of the United States army, to request permission of the President of the Mexican republic to allow you to pass the boundary line with your troops into Mexican territory, if necessary, in pursuit of those hostile Indians.

The President of the republic has no objection to grant the permission, and so expresses himself in the annexed communication to Colonel Willis, which I send unsealed, that you may see its contents.

Your most respectful and obedient servant,

S. LERDO DE TEJADA.

Captain D. H. Brotherton, Fifth Reg’t U. S. Inf., Commander at Fort Bliss, Texas.

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