No. 334.
Mr. Evarts
to Mr. Foster.
Washington, January 2, 1878.
Sir: Referring to several dispatches addressed by you to the Department relative to the expedition of Colonel Shafter across the Mexican frontier, I have to inform you that Mr. de Cuellar has addressed a note to this Department, under date of the 14th ultimo, complaining against the course pursued by that officer. It is desired that you should state unofficially to Mr. Vallarta that the facts relative to this matter, as presented by Mr. de Cuellar, differ somewhat from the information received from officers of the United States Army, from which it has not appeared that Colonel Shafter has been guilty of any violation of his orders, or that any injury has been done to Mexico by his expedition. You are requested at the same time to assure Mr. Vallarta that the inquiry into the matter will be renewed; and should it appear that, from an excess of zeal, any wrong has been committed, steps will be taken to prevent a recurrence of the acts complained of.
I am, &c.,