REYNOLDS, United States Minister-Resident to Bolivia to Dr. Baptista, March 10, 1875

Mr. Reynolds to Dr. Baptista.

To the Honorable Dr. Don M Baptista, The Minister of Foreign Affairs:

Sir: Referring to our last interview in the matter of Messrs. Daniel Poso, Criales, and Sol is, I am glad to report to your excellency that upon informing Mr. Poso and Mr. Criales what you authorized me to say, viz: “That the government preferred no charge of a criminal character against them, and that they might proceed in any business they desired without molestation from the authorities in this city,” they expressed great appreciation and thankfulness for your generous assurance given, and manifested a desire to return to their domiciles, yet Mr. D. Poso concluded to remain a few days more in the room of this legation.

They authorized me to thank you in their behalf for assurances you were kind enough to transmit to them through this legation. I am now informed that a few days after our interview referred to, when those assurances were given to me, a squad of soldiers, under charge of an officer of police, entered the house of Mr. Poso without showing any warrant of authority, and thoroughly searched all the rooms without even stating the object of their search, and left the house without making any arrest.

It is the belief of Mr. Poso, and also of his friends, that the search was made in order to find and take in charge his person. This I cannot believe, in view of the assurances made to me by your excellency, and I respectfully ask at your hands an explanation of the search made on the 3d instant in Mr. Poso’s house, if compatible with the public interests of your government, so that I may be able to set at rest the groundless charge of an attempt to make an arrest of one whom the government, through your excellency, assured me would not be molested.

You are well aware that the cases of Messrs. Poso and Criales have been reported to my Government, as I stated to you, and, while awaiting reply from the State Department, it would cause much embarrassment if either of them should be arrested or in any way molested by the Bolivian government, and I would respectfully ask that due notice be given this legation before any proceeding is commenced against either of them.

Renewing my assurances of high consideration for your excellency, and again extending the cordial friendship manifested by my Government for the welfare of the constitutional government of the Republic of Bolivia.

I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant,