Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth Congress, Part III
Mr. Seward to Mr. Geofroy
Mr. Seward presents his compliments to Mr. Geofroy, and has the honor to communicate, for his information, a copy of a report of the 10th of September, and of its accompaniments, addressed to Major General Banks by Major General Canby, relative to the recent events which have taken place on the Rio Grande.
Mr. Dana to Mr. Seward
Sir: I transmit, herewith, by direction of the Secretary of War, the enclosed copy of the latest report received by Major General Canby, commanding the military division of the West Mississippi, concerning affairs on the Rio Grande frontier, and by him furnished, at your request, for your information.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H Seward, Secretary of State.
General Canby to General Banks
General: The correspondence of Colonel Day, in relation to the Mexican force under Cortinas, has been received. Colonel Day’s action, so far as it is known here, accords with our neutral obligations, and is approved. The Mexican refugees are entitled to an asylum in our territory when they deliver up their arms and munitions, and restore any prisoners or booty that they may have taken from the French.
They will not be received into the service of the United States for service on the Rio Grande frontier, but may be enlisted for the general service In this case they will be sent to this city, either before or after enlistment, to be organized, armed, and equipped. Their enlistment may be for one, two, or three years, but preferably for the shorter term, and their duty thereafter will be determined by the circumstances of the service.
As an armed enemy of France, this force will not be tolerated in our territory; and if [Page 735] this be the intention of Cortinas, the commanding officer will be instructed to regard, and, as far as his power extends, to treat his force as enemies of the United States.
You will please instruct Colonel Day, or the commander at Brazos Santiago, accordingly, and in the contingency of any of Cortinas’s force entering our service, give the necessary instructions in relation to enlistment, transfer to this city, and the disposition to be made of private property. The public property of the Mexican government remains, of course, in the custody of the United States until disposed of by proper authority.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ED. R. S. CANBY, Major General Commanding.
Major General N. P. Banks, Commanding Department of the Gulf, Mew Orleans, Louisiana.
Official:
A copy was transmitted to the Adjutant General of the army, September 17, 1864.
Colonel Day to Major Drake
Major: I have the honor to transmit the following report of affairs at this post:
Everything has been quiet since the date of my last report—the enemy not having been seen. I have received information from Mr. Pierce, consul at Matamoras, also from other sources, that the rebels are greatly disappointed at the turn which Mexican affairs have taken at Matamoras. They had expected that they would be able to purchase or by some means obtain possession of a part of the artillery, which was at that place, from Cortinas. The surrender of Cortinas to Mejia, and his acknowledgment of the authority of Maximilian, of course destroyed all such anticipations. I have understood that many tempting proposals were made by Ford to Cortinas, with a view to obtain part of the artillery, all of which were steadily refused.
On the 29th of September Mejia took possession of Matamoras on the following terms:
No French were to be allowed to enter the city, and all French troops were to leave Bagdad, and the surrender made to Mexican troops alone. These terms were carried out. The French troops at Bagdad have been withdrawn to their vessels, and the place occupied by Mexican forces. I am unable to determine whether this state of affairs is favorable to the interests of the United States or not. I have been informed by some Mexican refugees, lately from Matamoras, that a confederate flag was flying at that place, and that confederate officers are received with great cordiality on the part of Mejia. The instructions received by me through the department headquarters with regard to Mexican refugees have been carried out. The refugees appear to be very well pleased with the manner in which they have been treated, and many are enlisting in the United States service for the period of one year. All the officers, and most of the men, however, have a desire to return to their homes as peaceable citizens of Mexico, and I anticipate a request from Mejia that they be allowed to do so. If such a request be made, I shall allow them to return unarmed, on condition that we secure some remuneration for the subsistence furnished.
The health of the troops under my command is steadily improving, and I am confident that ere long all symptoms of scurvy will disappear.
The steamer Alliance arrived here last Monday morning, the 3d instant. During the night of the same day she experienced a severe “norther,” and was blown on shore. She not being able to get off until this morning accounts for the delay of my despatches.
Hoping that this will meet with your approval, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. M. DAY, Colonel, Commanding United States Forces.
Major George B. Drake, Assistant Adjutant General, Department of the Gulf, Brazos Santiago, Texas.
Official: