No. 50.]
Legation of the United States,
Paris,
March 10, 1865.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys
Legation of the United
States,
Paris,
March 9, 1865.
Sir: On the 16th day of July last the
United States steamer Ark, belonging to John Bachino, a citizen of
the United States, and commanded by Captain A. Williamson, was
cleared from the port of New Orleans for the port of Matamoras, in
Mexico.
When about twelve miles above Bagdad, on the Rio Grande, in
consequence of an accident to her machinery, she grounded within a
few yards of the Mexican shore. While in this position, and in
Mexican waters, she was seized, on the 7th of August, by insurgent
[Page 376]
enemies of the United
States from Texas, taken to Brownsville, condemned with her cargo as
lawful prize, and sold at auction to some Mexican citizens.
The constant abuse of the rights of neutrals by persons trading with
the port of Matamoras throughout the present war, and the open
intercourse and unfeigned good understanding between inhabitants of
that port and enemies of the United States in Texas, have materially
prolonged the war itself, and have provoked, if not the seizure, at
least the blockade of Matamoras as a measure of self-protection.
In view of all these facts, I am instructed to express to your
excellency the desire of my government that neutrality may be
regularly enforced by the French troops in occupation of Matamoras,
and thus a source of embarrassment may be removed which seems to be
quite unnecessary.
I have the honor to renew to your excellency the assurance of my most
distinguished consideration.
His Excellency Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paris.
