complaint, the principles which have governed the United States in the contest between Spain and the Spanish American States, and in the numerous internal contests in Spanish America, are too well known to require explanation. So soon as it was apparent that the dispute between Texas and the dominant party in the other Mexican States would be carried to extremities, and indications were observed of a desire in some of the citizens of the United States to take part in the struggle, all the measures in his power were adopted by the President to prevent any interference that could by possibility involve the United States in the dispute, or give just occasion for suspicions of an unfriendly design on the part of this Government to intermeddle in a domestic quarrel of a neighboring State. Notice was given to the Mexican Charge d'Affaires of the measures adopted, and the principles and course of the United States distinctly and fully, and the undersigned trusts satisfactorily, explained to him. This has certainly been duly communicated to his Government, and has, with equal certainty, satisfied the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Mexican Republic that it is the determination of the Executive of the United States to employ every measure permitted by our own laws, for preventing, as far as possible, the injury a friendly nation might sustain from interference in a question entirely domestic. For the conduct of individuals which the Government of the United States cannot control, it is not in any respect responsible; and the Mexican Government well understands how far the funds, and the exertions and the combined efforts, of individuals may be made to contribute to the aid of parties in a foreign contest, without, in the slightest degree, implicating the Government of this country. The acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Mexican Republic must be aware that all this preceded any official communication of the character of the contest going on, or of the precautions and regulations adopted by either party to it in the assertion of their respective pretensions, and that, as yet, the United States have not been distinctly informed of those adopted by the Government of Mexico.
[John Forsyth]
[Department of State Washington, D.C.] (To the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Mexican Republic]
J
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