Señor Matias Romero to William H. Seward, & c., & c., & c, March 24, 1866

Señor Romero to Mr. Seward

Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to remit to you a copy of a note which I have just received from the consul general of the Mexican republic at New-York, dated yesterday, in which it is intimated to me that a person worthy of credence has given him information that there have been shipped on board the steamer Manhattan, which should sail from New York for Vera Cruz this day at three o’clock in the afternoon, five thousand muskets, purchased by the agents of the usurper Maximilian, and shipped, not as private property, but for account of the said usurper.

I think it my duty to beg that you will please to give the orders necessary that the export of said arms, in case the facts communicated to me turn out to be true, be not allowed.

I avail myself of the occasion to renew to you, Mr. Secretary, the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.