Author's Preface Vii 
book is designed as a guide to materials for the history of the United States. 
Nevertheless, there have been included in it, necessarily, many references to 
characters and events of Mexican history proper, especially those which have 
had close connection with the Interior Provinces, and to national movements 
which have affected in an important way these provinces or international 
relations. Obviously, citations of materials bearing on international relations 
are of equal utility for the history of either country. Withal, I hope that the 
Guide may prove useful, if not through the actual references to materials, at 
least through suggestions for further research, to my numerous friends in 
Mexico who are students of their national history. 
The author of a work like this can not perform his task without putting 
himself under obligations to many persons. At the same time, he has oppor- 
tunities to form many delightful friendships. In both of these respects the 
present writer has had his due experiences, and he gladly embraces the oppor- 
tunity here to express his thanks for favors received during the work and his 
appreciation of the many highly prized friendships made possible by his 
mission to Mexico. 
For direct assistance in the work of preparing the Guide thanks are due 
especially to Miss Elise Denison Brown (now Mrs. Lane, of San Antonio, 
Texas), who took many notes in the Archivo General y Publico, and gave 
other aid; to Mr. W. E. Dunn, who, though never employed on the Guide, has 
for many years co-operated in my work, much to my advantage; and to Mr. 
J. W. Curd, of El Paso, for assistance in the examination of the archives of 
Juarez, Chihuahua. 
For letters of introduction thanks are due to the Honorable Elihu Root, 
Secretary of State; Mr. David E. Thompson, ambassador to Mexico; His 
Eminence Cardinal Gibbons ; the Rt. Rev. Peter Verdaguer, bishop of Laredo, 
deceased ; the Rt. Rev. Henry Regis Granjon, bishop of Tucson; Rev. Father 
Zephyrin Engelhardt, O. F. M., of Santa Barbara, California; Rev. P. J. 
O'Reilly, C. S. C., of Austin, Texas ; the late James A. Leroy, formerly consul 
at Durango; Rev. M. P. Smith, C.S. P., of the Paulist Church, Austin, Texas, 
and Mr. James Ainza, of San Francisco. 
Of all the officials in Mexico whose aid was sought and obtained, first 
mention must be made of the late lamented Sr. Lic. Dr. D. Justino Rubio, 
director of the Archivo General y Publico, whose kindly sympathy and 
unlimited patience in times past smoothed the way for every seeker for 
truth in the storehouse so long in his charge. I welcome this opportunity to 
pay tribute to his memory. 
For many good offices of both an official and a personal nature, special 
thanks are due to Sr. Lic. D. Genaro Garcia, till lately director of the Museo 
Nacional; Sr. D. Luis Gonzalez Obregén, Dr. Rubio’s successor in office ; Dr. 
José M. Vigil, director of the Biblioteca Nacional; the Hon. Sr. D. Enrique 
Creel, formerly minister of Relaciones Exteriores and governor of Chi- 
