Mr. Campbell to Mr. Seward
No. 7.]
New Orleans,
December 24, 1866.
Sir: Referring to my despatch No. 6, of the
13th instant, from Brazos Santiago, I have now the honor to inform you
that I left that place on the 16th instant, and reached Brownsville late
the same evening.
The following morning I received a note from General Escobedo, advising
me that he would be obliged to leave for the interior at once.
Copy and translation of the same is enclosed herewith, marked No. 1.
On the 18th I received, from a reliable source, information that
President Juarez remained at Chihuahua as late as the 24th of November,
with no indications of a departure from that point, and that it was
doubtful whether he would leave, and if he left, whether he would go to
Monterey.
On the same day, ascertaining that Ortega had crossed the Rio Grande from
the United States into Mexico, and that probably Canales and Cortinas,
with their forces, would unite against Escobedo, I deemed it improper to
proceed in the direction of Monterey.
On the afternoon of the 19th, not having received any communication from
the department since your instructions on setting out, I deemed it
proper to come to this point as speedily as possible, with a view of
communicating directly with the government by telegraph.
I advised General Berriozabal of this determination by a note, a copy of
which is enclosed herewith, marked No. 2.
Leaving Brownsville on the 19th, I arrived here, by way of Galveston, in
the night of the 22d.
When in the Gulf of Mexico I was overtaken by the United States gunboat
Winooski, Captain Cooper commanding, bearing to me your despatch No. 4,
of the 23d of November last.
Captain Cooper also handed to me a despatch from Mr. Lane, our consul at
Vera Cruz, enclosing a communication from Mr. Otterbourg, our consul at
the city of Mexico.
Copy of Mr. Lane’s despatch, which is of a late date, is herewith
enclosed, marked No. 3.
In his communication to me, Mr. Otterbourg enclosed a sealed
communication from Marshal Bazaine to Lieutenant General Sherman, which
I have delivered to him here.
This sealed communication, without instructions from Washington, seemed
to me to make it imperative on me to deliver it in person.
[Page 338]
I consider my presence on the border of Mexico unimportant, if not
harmful, until the residence of the republican government under Juarez
shall have been definitely ascertained. I desire to avoid any
complication of our government with the factions of the liberals, who
seem now to be at war with each other; therefore I will go back to
Mexico or return to Washington for further instructions, as the
department may direct,
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
General Escobedo to Mr. Campbell
Matamoros,
December 16, 1866.
Sir: Urgent military duties have placed me
under the necessity of not remaining in this city the time that I
desired, in order not to deprive myself of the pleasing honor of
awaiting your excellency.
But there will remain to represent me in this city the general of
division, Felipe Berriozabal, military commandant of the district
and chief of the line of the Rio Grande, in order to present anew to
your excellency my respects.
In addition, I have already given orders that there should be placed
at the convenient points the escort which is to accompany your
excellency, whom I hope to have the pleasure of seeing on the road
or in the city of Monterey.
I am, sir, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
His Excellency Hon. Lewis D. Campbell,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of the United States of America.
Mr. Campbell to General Berriozabal
Brownsville,
December 19, 1866.
General: Circumstances have transpired
which render it expedient that I should go over to Galveston or New
Orleans to communicate with my government at Washington.
This will require an absence of ten days or two weeks, and I must
therefore postpone my intended trip to Monterey for that period.
You will please communicate these facts to General Escobedo, with my
thanks for his courtesies and kindness.
I am, general, your very obedient servant,
General F. Berriozabal,
Commanding in Chief, Matamoros.
Mr. Lane to Mr. Campbell
Consulate of the United States of
America,
Vera Cruz,
December 15, 1866.
Sir: Yesterday the American gunboat
Winooski put in here expecting to find you. As they have important
despatches for and instructions to find you somewhere, I have
thought it best to send by them what correspondence I have received
since your departure—among them a despatch from Mr. Otterbourg,
enclosing message from General Bazaine. I hope I do not err in
sending them.
The mail steamer from France arrived here on the 11th instant,
bringing two hundred soldiers belonging to the foreign legion. The
same day the steamer Florida arrived for the purpose of taking any
French troops.
Maximilian left Orizaba on the 12th instant for the city, it is said,
but will make a stop at Cholula. With the present feeling existing
between him and Bazaine I do not believe he dares go to the
city.
[Page 339]
Bazaine had Marquez and Miramon arrested, but the latter escaped, and
has not yet been recaptured.
It is said the priests have offered to raise Maximilian $15,000,000
and 36,000 troops, 12,000 each under the command of Marquez,
Miramon, and Marin.
That the French are preparing to leave I cannot doubt, from present
appearances; still, I may be mistaken.
When I got on shore from the Susquehanna I was met by the report that
the prefect of this city, acting under orders from Maximilian, had
commanded the Susquehanna to leave this port forthwith. I am sorry
to say it was believed by many. When the news of her departure
reached Orizaba the bells were rung and the rabble shouted. There
were heard vivas for Maximilian—groans and
cries of death to the Americans and the French.
On Sunday last the French took forcible possession of the
custom-house, turning out all the appointees of Maximilian, from
collector down, and filling their places with French.
I send you all the newspapers that have came to hand; also papers and
proclamations of this country.
The Winooski was very kindly and courteously treated by Admiral
Clam.
With kind remembrances to all your party, yourself included, I have
the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. L. D. Campbell,
United States Minister, &c.
