812.00/26763: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Vera Cruz (Wood)
With further reference to your January 12, 9 A.M.,7 reporting that de la Huerta8 had issued a proclamation announcing that the port of Tampico would be blockaded on and after January 16, and to the Department’s January 16, noon,8 in which you were instructed to advise the authority responsible for the proposed blockade that this Government confidently expects that immediate steps will be taken to remove this threat against the world’s commerce by the adoption of measures which will permit its free and uninterrupted intercourse with Tampico, and in view of the fact that no such steps have been taken so far as this Government is informed, you will advise Mr. de la Huerta that the United States cruiser Richmond has been ordered to proceed to Tampico to protect adequately the peaceful and legitimate United States commerce going in and out of that port from interference under any assertions of blockade.
You will so advise Mr. de la Huerta immediately after the departure of the Richmond from Vera Cruz for Tampico.