[Translation.]
Señor Romero to Mr. Seward
Mexican Legation to the United
States of America, Washington,
March 31, 1866.
Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to enclose to
you the copy in English of a communication addressed to me by Colonel
Enrique A. Mejia, of the Mexican army, dated the 4th of February last,
with annexed documents numbered from two to six, and two others in
Spanish, numbered seven and eight—sent to me subsequently by the same
colonel, all relating to certain merchandise confiscated at Boca del
Rio, (Bagdad,) by order of General Mariano Escobedo, because it
appeared, by testimony of the person who had charge of them, that they
belonged to the pretended government of the interventionists.
Hoping that the proceedings in this matter will be conducted with that
justice which may be expected from the government of the United States,
I
[Page 136]
enclose you these documents,
requesting you to refer them to the proper department, that the affair
may be considered with a full knowledge of the facts.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you, Mr. Secretary, the
assurance of my most distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
No. 1.
Republic of Mexico–Colonel on official duty.
I enclose you copies of the correspondence which passed between the
undersigned and the American authorities, referring to the goods
confiscated by General Escobedo during his occupancy of Bagdad. By
them you will perceive that disregarding their want of jurisdiction
in the matter, they detain said goods, and even recommend they be
returned to those who claim them. Said goods were the property of
the traitors and General Escobedo, on confiscating them, only
fulfilled his duty. I entered them, by order of General Escobedo, in
the custom-house of Clarksville, and gave bond for twice the amount
of their value. I hope that you will deem it proper, as they are
national property, to take the necessary steps, so that said
articles may be returned to us. I offer you the assurance of my
respectful consideration.
Independence and liberty! February 4,
1866.
E. A. MEJIA,
Señor Don Matias Romero, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of the Mexican Republic at Washington City,
D. C.
No. 2.
Republic of Mexico–Colonel on special duty.
In answer to the query of January 23, respecting certain goods
claimed by Eloseque and Mayoral, of Matamoras, I beg to inform you
that the general-in-chief of the army corps of the north seized a
certain amount of goods as property of the enemy, and also because
the regular tax on said parties was not paid as assessed, and
directed me to cross them over to Clarksville and dispose of them as
I thought best. I enclose list of the articles seized, which were
shipped to Mr. A. A. McLeffey, subject to the order of the
undersigned. Any other goods not enumerated in the accompanying list
have been fraudulently obtained, and I shall be glad if they be
returned to the proper owners.
Independence and liberty! February 24,
1866.
E. A. MEJIA.
Major General Weitzel, Commanding District of Rio Grande.
No. 3.
Republic of Mexico–Colonel on special duty.
List of articles seized by order of
General Mariano Escobedo.
504 pounds of thread, 20 gross knives and forks, 1,200 yards hickory
stripe, 75 reams of paper, 6 dozen umbrellas, (ladies’,) 6 packages
tin, 5 dozen axes, 14 boxes claret, 31 boxes tea, damaged.
Independence and liberty! January 24,
1866.
E. A. MEJIA.
No. 4.
[Untitled]
Headquarters District of the Rio
Grande, Office of the Provost Marshal General, Brownsville, Texas,
January 24, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith
the application of Elosequi and Mayoral, marked exhibit A, for the
return of certain merchandise supposed to be at Clarksville and
Brazos de Santiago.
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I also enclose the official statement of Colonel E. A. Mejia, marked
exhibit B, showing what portion of those goods were confiscated by
the liberal government.
The major general commanding directs that the merchandise contained
in exhibit A, and not included in exhibit B, be at once returned to
the proper owners thereof, and that the merchandise called for in
exhibit B be stored in some convenient place and safely guarded, to
abide instructions from department headquarters.
Should any of these goods have been removed from Clarksville, you
will immediately furnish the commanding officer where they may be
deposited with these instructions, in order that they may be carried
out strictly.
All acts done pursuant to these instructions will be reported to this
office without delay.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN S. CONKLYN, Capt. and Act. Prov.
Marshal General, District of the Rio
Grande.
No. 5.
Exhibit A.
Bagdad, Mexico,
January 20, 1866.
During the recent troubles arising from the capture of this city,
certain unknown parties have forcibly entered our warehouse and
taken away the following articles, viz:
P. II. Thirty-three (33) chests of tea.
Y. D. Ninety (90) boxes of claret.
F. & C. Twelve (12) boxes of claret.
[SS.] One (1) case of claret,
(5.) One (1) case of claret.
L. D. Two (2) cases of paper.
L. D. One (1) case knives and forks.
L. D. One (1) case umbrellas.
L. D. Twenty-four (24) boxes of axes.
L. D. Twenty-five (25) boxes tin cases.
We have ascertained that the tea and part of the other merchandise
above mentioned lie presently at Clarksville, and some at the
custom-house landing, and some deposited at Mr. McGoffey, the sutler
general. There also lie presently at Clarksville one or two
lighters, namely, the schooner Matamoras and lugger Rio, which have
been forcibly taken away from our own landing here. We therefore
respectfully request that the case be investigated, and some
arrangement made by which said property be returned to us. Hoping to
be soon favored with an answer, we remain, colonel,
Your obedient servants,
ELOSEQUI & MAYORAL, By JOHN FALLS.
Colonel Frank J. White, Commanding United States
Forces at Bagdad.
No. 6.
[Untitled]
Headquarters Department of
Texas, Brownsville,
January 22, 1866.
Colonel: I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your communication of this date, in reference to a
quantity of goods held in military custody, under orders from Major
General Weitzel, but which are claimed by you as belonging to the
Mexican government, of which you are the agent.
It appears from other papers in the case that the goods are claimed
by other parties as their lawful property, who have asked that they
be held until the question of title can be decided, and this
question is one to which the United States is not a party. The
military authorities are not empowered to act. Your remedy,
therefore, must be found in the civil courts, or the action of the
authorities at Washington, to the latter of which your communication
and such other papers as I have in relation to the subject will be
promptly referred.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. E. WRIGHT, Major General
Commanding.
Colonel Enrique A. Mejia, Brownsville, Texas.
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No. 7.
[Untitled]
To the military commander of Bagdad and its
dependencies:
Please let me know if you authorized any one to take private property
in my name.
Independence and liberty!
Bagdad, January 16, 1866.
ENRIQUE A. MEJIA.
Lieut. Col. Eduardo Du May.
No. 8.
[Untitled]
Bagdad,
January 16, 1866.
Colonel: I have the honor to acknowledge
your communication of to-day, and in reply I must say, that while I
acted as commander of this place, General Escobedo ordered me to
visit the various mercantile establishments and collect a forced
loan for the aid of the forces stationed here.
In obedience to this order, I visited various establishments of this
city, and among others that of Mr. Mayoral, whom I did not see, but
I met a French lady who said she was the wife of the manager of the
establishment, and I communicated my order to her. She answered that
as Mr. Mayoral was not present, she could do nothing in regard to
the loan; but there were some goods in the store, belonging to the
so-called imperial government, (and she pointed them out,) which I
could take. I made this known to General Escobedo, and he ordered me
to confiscate the goods, put them on board a sloop, and send them
across the river. I communicated the order to one of my adjutants,
who went to the store, seized the goods, and put them aboard a
schooner lying at the landing, and left them there till further
orders. The next day the vessel was taken to the other side of the
river.
And this is all I know of the affair.
I renew the protests of my respectful consideration.
Colonel Mejia, Military Commander of Bagdad and its dependencies.
