MARCUS OTTERBOURG, United States Consul to Mes, April 29, 1867

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Gentlemen: Your very important communication of the 27th instant has been received, and its contents are of so serious a nature as to have demanded the most earnest consideration on my part.

I had previously to its receipt forwarded to the government at Washington a statement of your case, with a request for instructions as to my action in regard to citizens of the Hanseatic League.

As, however, no reply, which must definitely shape my conduct, can be expected for some time yet to come, and the urgency of your defenceless situation calls for an immediate decision, I believe that the perils to which foreigners are at this moment exposed will fully justify me with my government in exerting officiously the, influence of this consulate in favor of the citizens of Hanseatic cities with which the United States enjoy the most friendly commercial relations.

It is, however, my duty to remark that on arriving at this decision I have determined to pursue, under no circumstances whatsoever, any line of conduct which might by any possibility bring me in opposition to the established authorities in Mexico.

Your obedient servant,