MARCUS OTTERBOURG, United States Consul to General Leonardo Marquez, June 7, 1867

Mr. Otterbourg to General Marquez

General: Mr. A. Dano, minister from France resident in this capital, being desirous to leave for Queretaro, I have at his request addressed a communication, a copy of which is at the disposal of the authorities, asking of General Porfirio Diaz to grant Mr. Dano a free passage as far as Tacubaya, through the lines of the forces besieging this plaza.

As it is useless to mention, since they are public and notorious, the ends which Mr. Dano proposes on undertaking a journey in moments so difficult, I restrict myself to informing General Marquez that on seconding the views of Mr. Dano as appears from copies of the correspondence adjoined, I have encountered the order recently given, which prohibits the issue of passports to those who wish to leave the city, and to request that this difficulty be removed by instruction which shall permit the passport to be signed at the ministry of war for Mr. Beckman, who is in every other respect prepared to set out with the object indicated.

With assurances of the highest consideration,