Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Thirty-ninth Congress

[Translation.]

Señor Romero to Mr. Seward

Mexican Legation to the United States of America, Washington, March 30, 1866.

Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to enclose you the copy, in English, of a communication dated the 5th of February last, and sent to me from Brownsville by Colonel Enrique A. Mejia, of the Mexican army. The original did not reach me. The duplicate, marked No. 1, I enclose to you with two other annexed documents, numbered 2 and 3.

In No. 1, and particularly in No. 2, a note addressed to General Weitzel, commanding on the Rio Grande, Colonel Mejia states that on the 14th of that month, as he was steaming down the river on the government despatch boat with Captain Conklyn, first provost marshal general of the district, and Mr. Price, of the secret service of the same district, he overhauled several lighters and small boats tied up to the Mexican side of the river, about six miles above Boca del Rio, (Bagdad,) and within the jurisdiction of his command. Having boarded and examined them in fulfilment of his duty, he found the sloop Helena among them loaded with goods, and without any custom-house papers, or even an invoice, for which reason he seized it, and took it to Boca del Rio, (Bagdad,) where it was duly condemned and the goods confiscated.

Colonel Mejia acted in this matter in conformity with his duty, which is shown by a translation of his appointment in No. 3.

The goods were transferred to American territory and were regularly entered at the Clarksville custom-house to the credit of the Mexican government, but were soon after sequestrated by the military authorities of that place, Colonel Mejia states, and were to be delivered over to the original proprietors; and he complains of this proceeding, as the goods were legally confiscated by the Mexican authorities on Mexican territory, and this he can prove by Captain Coriklyn and Mr. Price, who were witnesses to the facts.

Having no other testimony to this affair than the enclosed documents, I limit myself to a request to have it referred to the proper department, that the government of the United States may act upon it with due justice; and if the goods have been unjustly delivered to the merchants of Matamoras claiming them, their value may be restored to the agents of the Mexican government.

I embrace this occasion to renew to you, Mr. Secretary, the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.

M. ROMERO.

Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.

No. 1 .—Duplicate.

MEXICAN REPUBLIC—COLONEL ON SPECIAL DUTY.

I have the honor of enclosing you a copy of the note which, under date of the 21st ultimo, I addressed to General Weitzel, referring to the cargo of the Helena. Said general has not answered, and the goods have been delivered to those who claimed them—the firm of Droege, Oetling & Co. Said goods were seized by order of General Weitzel, and remained by his order in military custody until they were delivered to Droege, Oetling & Co. The only thing that I could obtain was that the collector of the custom-house should take a bond from said firm of ($60,000) sixty thousand dollars in gold, until the matter should be decided by the military authorities or the Treasury Department at Washington.

I cannot understand how said military authorities could take cognizance in matters beyond their jurisdiction, but the copy I enclose will explain the matter.

I have thought very strangely of this proceeding, as I do not believe there is any justice in said detention, which causes us great damage.

I beg you to give this matter the attention it deserves, and I avail myself of the opportunity to renew my respectful consideration.

Independence and liberty! Brownsville, February 5, 1866.

E. A. MEJIA.

Señor Matias Romero, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, &c., &c., Washington.

No. 2.

Republic of Mexico–Colonel on special duty.

I would respectfully call your attention to the following facts: That on the 14th of this month I was steaming down the river on the government despatch boat; when about six miles above Bagdad, we saw several luggers and lighters tied up on the Mexican side of the river, within the jurisdiction of my command, which, as you will see by the accompanying certified translation of my appointment, included not only Bagdad but its dependencies.

I boarded and examined said lighters and found the sloop Helena had a cargo of merchandise, without clearance or pass of any kind, and immediately seized her for violating the laws of revenue of the Mexican republic. The fact of finding said lighter without even the regular invoice of the owners of said merchandise was conclusive evidence as to the illegality other presence out of port. I had her turned into the port of Bagdad, and appointed a commission to inquire into the case, and by said commission the goods were legally condemned and confiscated. Said merchandise was brought over to this side as belonging to the government I have the honor to represent, regularly entered with all necessary papers in order, and were seized by the military authorities and by them held. I have since been informed that the goods were going to be released on claim of the former owners, residents of Matamoras.

I would respectfully represent that the facts of the case occurred beyond the jurisdiction of the United States; that the seizure was in accordance to our laws; and that I request that said goods be held until the action of the United States government can be obtained, for which purpose I remit the proper papers to Washington by first mail.

I would further state that there were in the despatch boat with me Captain Conklyn and Mr. Price; the first, provost marshal general of the district, and the second, of the secret service, who saw the whole facts of the capture, and can testify to the facts being as represented.

I beg your earnest attention to the above, and that said goods being seized in the first instance by the troops under your command, that they continue so to be held until the matter can be laid before your Secretary of State by our minister at Washington.

I avail myself of the opportunity of repeating to you the assurances of my highest respect.

Independence and liberty! January 21, 1866.

E. A. MEJIA.

Major General J. Weitzel, Commanding District of Rio Grande, Brownsville.

No. 3.

Republic of Mexico–Army Corps of the North–General-in-Chief.

Being compelled to march to the centre of the line for urgent matters of service, I have deemed it best to appoint you military commandant of this port and its dependencies, and this in a vigorous state of siege, with ample powers for its defence, in all matters including those of finances. You will increase your forces by all possible means, acting in everything with fullest powers (omnimodas) and subject only to my instructions and orders.

Independence and liberty! Bagdad, January 8, 1866.

M. ESCOBEDO.

Colonel Enrique A. Mejia, Military Commandant of Bagdad and its dependencies.