Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth Congress
Mr. Seward to Mr. Bigelow
Sir: I transmit a copy of a letter of the 12th instant, and of the accompanying papers, addressed to this department by the Acting Assistant Secretary of War, on the subject of affairs on the Rio Grande.
You will bring to the notice of Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys the important statements contained in these papers, viz: the opinion expressed by General Mejia that there is a recognizable rebel party in Texas, and that a design is entertained in Mexico to produce an uprising against the United States in Texas, with a view to its annexation to Mexico, or at least to co-operate in maintaining the government of Maximilian. You ask the proper explanations on this subject without unnecessary delay.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
John Bigelow, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Eckert to Mr. Seward
Sir: I am instructed by the Secretary of War to transmit, for your information, copies of certain papers relative to the condition of affairs on the Mexican frontier, forwarded to this department by Major General P. H. Sheridan, commanding the military division of the southwest.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
General Brown to Lieutenant Colonel Canby
Colonel: I have the honor to report that I visited Bagdad, Mexico, yesterday, and had a personal interview with General Mejia, commanding the imperial forces on the Rio Grande. The General expressed a feeling of kindness towards the government of the United States, and a wish to preserve such a policy as would insure an impartial action upon the troops under his command, between the government of the United States and the rebels, or confederates, as he termed them. He still held to the opinion that, notwithstanding the surrender of the enemy on the east side of the Mississippi river, the rebels in Texas were a recognizable power. I had reliable information that the enemy had practically evacuated Brownsville, but General Mejia professed not to know anything about it, though the property of the confederate government had been sent over to Matamoras. I am informed, from a source I deem reliable, that General Slaughter has permission from General Mejia to cross into Mexico with his troops at any time when he may deem it necessary to do so; though this is not to be considered as being strictly official information. From all I can learn, the rebels, who intend to continue the contest against the government, are the friends, and are co-operating with the imperial government of Mexico. The peace party and friends of the government of the United States in Texas are the friends of the liberal government or party in that State. This confirms the information I had the honor to transmit in my despatch of the 23d instant.
On the 14th instant a body of troops from this post, who were marching up the east bank of the Rio Grande, were fired upon from the Mexican side. Upon its being reported to General Mejia he promptly disapproved of the act, and I am informed that he arrested three men who were reported to have been guilty of this breach of neutrality, and that he has ordered them to be shot to-morrow morning. An application to supply my command with beef-cattle and horses from Mexico has received the approval of the Mexican commander, but, notwithstanding these acts of apparent fairness, I am of the opinion that one of the strongest influences that are brought to bear upon the people of western Mexico, to induce them to support the imperial government, is that Texas is to be again annexed to that government, or that a protectorate is to be extended over it. I submit these facts for the consideration of the major general commanding.
I am, very truly, your obedient servant,
Lieutenant Colonel J. S. Canby, Assistant Adjutant General, Department Gulf, New Orleans.
General Brown to Colonel Crosby
Colonel: I have the honor to report that I have received information that the rebels at Brownsville have broken up, after imprisoning their general (Slaughter) and forcing him to divide the money in his possession. Slaughter has sent the arms and ordnance stores into Matamoras and sold them to the imperial government. Such is the report.
I have ordered the 34th Indiana, and 62d A. D. C., with two pieces of artillery that I have fitted up in an imperfect manner, and to be drawn by mules, across the Boca Chica, and intend to move to White Ranche this evening, and to Brownsville to-morrow.
I shall increase the force, if I deem it necessary, and shall take the command in person.
I am, very truly, your obedient servant,
Colonel J. Schuyler Crosby, Assistant Adjutant General, Department Gulf New Orleans.
General Brown to Colonel Crosby
Colonel: I have the honor to transmit, for the information of the major general commanding, the enclosed copies of a correspondence between General Mejia and myself. When the rebels evacuated this post the guard of citizens that was formed to protect their property was claimed to be a liberal company from Mexico, and, consequently, the representative of the imperial government was apprehensive of aggressive action on the part of my command. [Page 406] The apprehension was increased by the menacing attitude of Negreta and Cortina, who are constantly harassing the imperial forces, and, probably, more from a feeling that the receiving artillery, marked U. S., from the rebel general Slaughter, and the extraordinary relations that have existed for the past four months between the rebels and the imperial government, had placed the representatives of that government in a questionable position. Under these circumstances, I thought proper to forward the letter enclosed, in order to allay the undue alarm that was manifesting itself at Matamoras.
I am, very truly, your obedient servant,
Lieutenant Colonel Schuyler Crosby, Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans.
General Brown to General Mejia
General: In order that you may be informed of the desire on the part of the government of the United States to preserve amicable relations with the republic of Mexico, I have the honor to transmit the following extract from the instructions from the Secretary of State to the commanding officer of the department of the Gulf, and which has been furnished to me for my guidance while in command of the Rio Grande.
[Extract.]
“You have already found that the confusion resulting from civil strife and foreign war in Mexico offers seductions for military enterprise. I have, therefore, to inform you of the exact condition of our relations towards the republic at the present time. We are on terms of amity and friendship, and maintaining diplomatic relations with the republic of Mexico. We regard that country as the theatre of a foreign war, mingled with civil strife. In the conflict we take no part, and, on the contrary, we practice absolute non-intervention and non-interference. In command of the frontier, it will devolve on you, as far as practicable, consistently with your other functions, to prevent aid or supplies being given from the United States to either belligerent.”
I am aware, general, that the fact that this town, immediately preceding its occupation by the troops under my command, was, in a measure, protected by persons inimical to the imperial government of Mexico, and the necessity that exists for the employment of men of this class in my operation against the bands of rebels in the country may be construed into a belligerent feeling towards your government.
I beg leave to assure you that such is not the case, and I repeat to you, formally, what I said in our conversation at Bagdad, that the troops under my command will not be permitted, in any manner, to interfere in the present relations of Mexico.
The same assurance has been given to members of the liberal party of Mexico, now re siding at this post.
With considerations of respect, I am, general, your obedient servant,
Major General Mejia, Commanding Matamoras, Mexico.
General Canedo to General Osterhaus
General: In accordance with your instructions I arrived here a few days since, and have had but little of importance to communicate upon the L. S. project as yet. I would beg leave to recall to the recollection of the general-in-chief that I mentioned Mr. J. A. Quintero as one of the parties concerned in the affair, and that he had had an interview with Marshal Bazaine, in January last, in relation to it. Mr. Quintero was here last week in close conference with General Mejia, and returned again immediately to Monterey, and will be here again in a week. He is ostensibly enlisted in the imperial cause, but in reality is working for an uprising in Texas, the French and Mexicans to hold the frontier.
Of the other parties concerned in the enterprise two have gone to Europe, and one was heard of in Montgomery, two hours before General Wilson’s entry into that place, endeavoring to purchase horses to go to Texas. One is now in San Antonio, and when I see Mr. Quintero I will know what is expected of me.
[Page 407]The citizens and foreign residents of this place are wholly enlisted in the imperial cause. Fortifications are being thrown up from bank to bank, encircling the city. There are thirty-five guns now here for defence. There are about six hundred Belgian troops and two battalions of Mexicans here. Four thousand infantry, artillery, and cavalry have just been sent off to Camargo, while two thousand French troops are looked for from the sea-board. A camp of instruction has been established at Monterey. An officer, formerly in the rebel service, is now here engaged in raising a regiment of Texans for service with the imperialists.
To sum up, it seems the enterprise I spoke of has received a sudden shock from the rapid successes of the federal arms, but is by no means extinct. What the delegation now gone to Europe may effect, with those who are to follow, remains to be seen; but certainly the feeling and spirit evinced by the confederates generally, and Texans in particular, is most decidedly in favor of an uprising in Texas, or at least assisting the imperialists against its enemies, particularly the United States.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Major General P. J. Osterhaus, Chief of Staff, New Orleans.
Through Brigadier General Brown, Commanding United States Forces, Brownsville, Texas.
General Mejia to General Brown
General: I have the honor to make answer to the note you have been pleased to address to me of this date, to inform me of the wish of the United States in maintaining friendly relations with the republic of Mexico. For this purpose you send me a copy of the instructions which the Secretary of State transmitted to the department of the Gulf, pointing out the neutral course he should observe, in view of the manner in which the United States consider the political situation of Mexico, and the state in which the relations of amity existing between both countries rest.
Allow me, general, to reply with my soldierly frankness. Although I ignore that there exists in Mexico the republic and foreign war, I regard with great interest the friendly sentiments of the United States towards my country, and I esteem at their just value the orders which in this sense emanate from your government.
And what wishes do the government of his Majesty the Emperor Maximilian foster in relation to the United States? I have the honor to transcribe here the following instructions which, in this respect, have been communicated to me by his excellency the marshal commander-in-chief:
“The government of Washington, explaining certain reports which gave room to believe that the authorities at New Orleans, or rather the federal forces in Texas, gave aid against us to some guerillas and dissident chiefs, has given assurance that the instructions sent to the federal authorities prescribed to them the strictest neutrality. It is, therefore, very proper, that in reciprocation we should use all the vigilance possible to prevent the confederates from making in Mexican territory or Mexican waters any attack or movement against their adversaries, or meeting any support, although indirect.”
I think it useless to add, general, that I am disposed to comply exactly with the wishes of my government, and that I entertain sufficient confidence that the authorities of the United States will have the will and the power necessary to repress whatever act of hostility might be in preparation against my country within the territory of the Union.
Please accept, general, the assurances of my high esteem.
Brigadier General E. B. Brown, Commanding U. S. Forces at Brownsville.