Middleton to Señor Don Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada, December 8, 1867

Mr. Middleton to Señor Lerdo de Tejada.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I was last night placed in possession of the instructions of her Majesty’s government to request you to have the goodness to furnish with passports myself and all such persons as are engaged in the service of her Majesty’s late legation here, and also for her Majesty’s consul and his family, for the purpose of leaving this republic by the port of Vera Cruz.

I have also the honor to inclose herewith a list of the names of the persons for whom this favor is solicited.

With respect to the motives which have induced her Majesty’s government to remove the several members of her Majesty’s late legation, as well as those employed in her Majesty’s late consulate in this capital, as well as all archives and government property appertaining to the same, from this country, I have the honor to inform you, sir, that I have been ordered to make the present application for passports for myself, as well as the persons referred to, in consequence of the decision of the Mexican government to hold no intercourse with the agents of powers who recognized the government of the Emperor Maximilian. I am, at the same time, desired, upon my departure, formally to place under the protection of the Mexican government the persons and properties of British subjects, and to call upon the Mexican government, in fulfillment of the duty for which all states are responsible, to secure from injury at the hands of the public authorities all British subjects residing in or passing through their country, and to extend to them, as long as They are within the country, and to their properties, full justice in all their dealings.

So soon as I am able to complete the arrangements for my departure, and for the transport of the archives of her Majesty’s legation, it will be my duty, in conformity with my instructions, to apply to you, sir, for the necessary escort for enabling me to reach Vera Cruz in safety.

I have the honor to be, sir, with the highest consideration, your most obedient, humble servant,