The New York herald., 1879-10-25
MEXICAN DIPLOMACY.

AN AMERICAN MERCHANTS GOODS wRoNGFULLY
SEIZED IN A MEXICAN PoRT--DAMAGEs
AWARDED, BUT NOT PAID by THE GOVERN
MENT-MR. EvARTs AND THE CLAIM.
Mr.. Max Bromberger a merchant of San Fran
cisco engaged in the South American trade is at
present in New York. and has recently received
letter from Secretary Evarts which is Of great in
terest in the consideration Of the relations OF the
United States with Mexico. The letter IN reply
addressed by Mr.. Dtomberger to the State De-
partment, inguiring to the status of certain
claim made by the United States government upon
the Mexican government for the wrongful seizure
Of certain goods belonging to MIR. Bromberger. Mr..
Bromberger say that January 49, 1877 he shippeda
quantity of merchandise, valued at $780, from San
francisco to San jose di Guatemala The schooner
Montana Captain Anderson. on which the goods
were shipped had also on board certain merchandise
consigned to Mazatlan. and when these latter had
been landed Captain Anderson applied for his clear
ing papers. intending to continue on for Guatemala.
The Mexican officials. however, refused the papers,
saying that he had other goods on board. This Cap
tain Anderson admitted, but explained that they
were intended for another country. He was
astounded by the reply OF the Customs officers. that
it made difference what place they were destined
for that in consideration OF the fact that thoy had
been brought into the port OF Mazatan the Mexican
them. This inonstrous proposition was considered
good law officers who laid it down. and Captain
Anderson found all his protests unavailing He was
told that Americans had no right to take goods in
transit to any Mexican port without paying the
duties, and that until the latter were forthcoming
his clearing papers would not be given hIm. 1t
out of the question to pay these duties which, ac-
cording to the modest Mexican tariff OF about Sl2
hundred weight, would amount to the full value OF
IL goods. and the perplexed captain after trying
for week ten days to get his papers without the
faintcst show OF success had almost determined to
III
suspecting his intention, sent force OF soldiers
board and removed the goods by force.
APPEALS TO THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COURTS.
As as possible the facts were reported to Mr.
Bromberger who appealed in the first instance to
Mr.. Kelton the United States Consul at Mazatlan.
and through him engaged Mexican lawyer to prose
cute claim tor damages IN the local courts against
the Mexican government. At the same time Mr..
Bromberger. in conjunction with certain other Sun
francisco merchants whose goods on the same
schooner had been similarly confscated. comnuni-
Gated the facts of the Outrage to the United States
government. which immediately despatched two
men-of-war-tho Iackawanna. from San Francisco.
and the Pensacola from Panama--to Mlzatlan
to inquire into the facts. The men-of-war
returned with a report substantiating the
out a report Of any action taken to redress
the wrong. The case in the Mexican courts went on
In the nrs court was ,Sa rem
appealed the and in the second court the judg
ment of the first was affirmed. The officials then de-
clared their intention OF appealing to the Supreme
Court but after considerable delay they gave up the
case and offered to let Mr.. Bromberger remove his
BoouS without paying the duty, wrongs ully
manded in the first instance. As. however, the goods
had been greatly damaged this offer refused,
and the claimant determined to await the enforce
ment by the United States government OF his claim.
In reply to letter setting forth these facts briefly
and asking for information as to what the govern
ment has done III etfecting urging settlement OF
the long delayed clam he las received tho following
answer from the Secretary OF Sate:-
In reply have to state that this departments
has had frequent and lengthy with the
Mexican government through our Legation in Mexico
upon that and kindred subjects without having
rived satisfactory solution So long ago august
1878 the Mexican government had refused make
reparaon Tho department has since that time bceu
earnestly endcavoring to awaken them OF thor
injustice. Argumentavc instructions of great lougth
have bcen addressed to Minister which have beon
hfullv carried by him in his efforts obtain from
Mexico Rcknowl of tho tortious of her
authorities and settlement with tho injured parties.
That government has promised to ats former
decision doubt whether Will
code stand they have already taken.
informed that this be lost sight
of either by the department BY the Minister who has
been instructed to the Mexican tho
proprety OF its satisfactory and carly disposition
sir, your obcdient servant. W. NJ EVARTS
Mr.. Bromberger, while he is not disposed to ques-
ton the mode taken by the government to the
payment of his claim Is curious to know what ought
to be considered reasonable time to allow to the
Mexican government for settlement OF claim
which has been allowed already in two Mexican
courts.