Lewis D. Campbell to William H. Seward, March 20, 1867

Mr. Campbell to Mr. Seward.,

Sir: I received this morning two official communications from Franklin Chase, esq., consul general at Tampico, dated March 1st and 2d.

That of March 1st, marked No. 8, I transmit herewith. The other merely encloses a duplicate of the petition of General Gomoz and others, the original of which I sent you with my despatch No. 20, asking our government to make them a loan of $5,000,000; also for gunboats, battery of cannon, men, &c., &c. Mr. Chase informs me that a copy of the same paper has been forwarded to Mr. Romero.

It may not be improper to add that when I was at Tampico, on the 5th of December last, Mr. Chase informed me that he regarded General Gomez and Cuesta as friendly to Ortega’s claim to the presidency. They may now, however, be truly devoted to the cause of President Juarez.

If our government has gunboats not necessarily on duty elsewhere, it might be prudent to have some of them cruising in the Gulf of Mexico, with a view to protect our citizens and our commerce there.

I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,