Juan Valdez to Paso del Norte, Enero 18 de 1866, January 17, 1866

Ministerio de relaciones esteriores y gobernacion.

Sir: I have the honor to state that I have received a communication from Colonel Edward B. Willis, first New Mexican infantry, United States volunteers, commanding expedition against Apache Indians, at Fort Selden, New Mexico, in which, by direction of the district commander, General James H. Carleton, United States army, he requests me to obtain from his Excellency President Juarez permission to pass over the line into Mexico with his troops, in case it should become necessary, when in pursuit of hostile Indians who commit depredations alike on the people of both countries.

If this application should meet with the approval of his Excellency the President, will you be kind enough to forward me the authority asked for at as early a moment as practicable?

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,

D. H. BROTHERTON, Capt. Fifth Infantry U. S. A., Com’dg Reg’t and Fort.

Hon. Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada, Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Government, Republic of Mexico, Paso del Norte, Mexico.

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