Mr. Seward to Mr. Bigelow
Sir: The Secretary of War yesterday informed me that he had just received intelligence from Major General Sheridan to the effect that, on the 7th instant, the republican forces in Mexico who were besieging Matamoras withdrew about six miles, but that they had again subsequently attacked the place; that our military officers in that vicinity have been subjected to most violent abuse by the newspaper which espouses the monarchical cause at Matamoras; that it constantly terms the President of the United States the murderer of Mrs. Surratt; that some of our soldiers who were visiting Matamoras were arrested and put to work upon their fortifications, and our officers and men fired upon by their gunboats; that the most insulting letters from French officials have been addressed to General Weitzel and other officers; and that the consequence is much excitement on the part of our soldiers.
You are at liberty to make such use of that information as you may think proper, to show Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys the condition of irritability existing on that remote frontier.
I am, sir, your very obedient servant,
John Bigelow, Esq., &c., &c., &c.