Lerdo de Tejada to The Citizen, May 9, 1868

Department of Foreign Relations.

In the newspaper the Atalaya, of Monterey, it is stated that by a governmental order there were arrested in that city six American citizens, and that in prison they suffered ill treatment; adding, however, that they were immediately placed at liberty, and that the first alcalde of that city was actively making an examination into the facts in order to administer prompt justice.

In view of this information the President of the republic has directed that I should address to you this communication, in order that you may be pleased to inform this department regarding the occurrence referred to, and in order that, if true, you may be pleased to address to whom it may correspond, an excitative to prompt and strict justice, asking that the judge or tribunal that has cognizance of the case opportunely communicate what may be resolved in the same.