Lewis D. Campbell to S. Lerdo de Tejada, April 6, 1867

Mr. Campbell to Señor Lerdo de Tejada

Sir: For reasons which are doubtless well understood by you, it has not yet been in my power to present formally to his excellency President Juarez my letters of credence as envoy, &c., &c., of the United States to the republic of Mexico.

The instructions of October last, under which I started on my mission, gave me a discretionary power, in a certain contingency, to establish my official residence, temporarily, “at any place in the United States or elsewhere near the frontier or coast of Mexico.” For causes not necessary herein to be explained, I left Matamoros and came to this city in December last, since which time, under instructions from the Secretary of State, it has been the place of my official abode.

The government of the United States has observed with much satisfaction the withdrawal of the French expeditionary forces in Mexico, and the advance of the armies of the constitutional government towards the capital of the republic. This satisfaction has recently been disturbed by the reports it has received in regard to the severity practiced on the prisoners of war taken by your armies at Zacatecas. Its fears, too, have been thereby excited that in the event of the capture of the Prince Maximilian and the forces under him, this severity might be repeated.

I have this day received by telegraph a despatch from the Secretary of State instructing me to express to his excellency President Juarez these apprehensions, in the most expeditious manner. Therefore, I communicate them by special bearer of despatches.

The government of the United States has sincerely sympathized with the republic of Mexico, and feels a deep interest in its success; but I have to express the belief that a repetition of the reported severities referred to would shock its sensibilities and check the current of its sympathies. It is believed that such acts to prisoners of war as are reported cannot elevate the character of the United Mexican States in the estimation of civilized peoples, and may tend to bring into disrepute the cause of republicanism, and retard its progress everywhere.

The government instructs me to make known to President Juarez, promptly and earnestly, its desire that in case of the capture of the Prince Maximilian and his supporters, they may receive the humane treatment accorded by civilized nations to prisoners of war.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your excellency’s most obedient servant,