The Citizen Matias Romero to W. W. Holmes, Secretary of the permanent committee of the Mexican bondholders, London, June 17, 1868

Department of Treasury and Public Credit–Section 2.

I have received the communication which, under date of the 14th of April last, you were pleased to address to me, informing me that the Mexican bondholders in London had appointed a permanent committee, charged with the supervision of their interests, and authorized to negotiate the manner of arranging their business with the government of Mexico, and you conclude by stating to me that the committee is prepared to immediately open negotiations with the government of the republic, either in England by means of an agent accredited by the treasury department, or in this capital by means of a delegate which the said committee is disposed to send.

The government of the republic has already manifested, on different occasions, that it has the best disposition to pay all legitimate credits, and in fact has redeemed, since its return to this city, a part of the public debt.

It believes that, with the consolidation of peace, the revival of confidence, and the development of the natural elements of the country, its revenues will be augmented in such a manner that, before many years, it will have paid all of its debts that are legitimate in their origin.

Although the debt contracted in London belongs to that category, and the government recognizes it in principle, the fact that the bondholders made a new arrangement of the debt with Maximilian, who never had any right to bind the nation, and in this manner lent to him their aid and co-operation, places the debt in a different position, which cannot be arranged except by means of negotiations and mutual concessions.

Supposing that the committee appointed by the bondholders is disposed to send an agent to this city charged with the negotiation of an arrangement of their business with the government of the republic, I limit myself now to saying that the agent of the committee will be received by this department, and that it will be endeavored to make with him an arrangement mutually satisfactory.

I am your very attentive friend and obedient servant,