Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
S. C. H. to Senor Romero,
Dear Sir: There was a meeting held at
the New York Hotel last night, and from all accounts it was
conducted with great secrecy. I, however have been able to learn
these’ particulars, but I am informed that they have changed
their tactics a little. The person who informed me is positively
connected with the expedition, for he sailed last Saturday for
Mobile. He was formerly attached to a New Jersey regiment.
The 1st division is to be made up of all nations, Germans, Irish,
confederates, &c. Austin, Texas, is one of the rallying
points of the expedition, and from here the avengers are to
cross the Rio Grande in small detachments so as not to excite
surprise or suspicion of the United States authorities on the
frontier.
Who commands this movement I do not know, but I can find out by
joining it. Allen is
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connected with it. At any rate
Matamoras is where the first strike will be made. The 2d
division is being recruited from the different German societies
throughout the United States. One D’Utassi, late of the
volunteer generals, and colonel of the Garibaldi Guard, is
connected with this, also several of Sigel’s western officers
and men, along with quite a number of Frémont’s and Blenker’s
old division of the mountain department and the army of the
Potomac.
St. Louis, Missouri, is the headquarters of this division. Quite
a number of southern and ex-confederate officers are to join it
from Nashville and Memphis, as it makes its way down the
Mississippi to New Orleans. The rendezvous is Galveston, from
whence they will be transported, with others, to Cape Rayo, and
make way to Tampico, above Vera Cruz. The 3d and 4th divisions
will be mostly southerners, although it is to receive recruits
from different parts of the United States. This, from what I
have learned, is the strongest and most to be feared part of the
movement. Where they are to strike I am not very positive. I
know this much: they have obtained transportation by water, and
the movement is to be commenced from Philadelphia; Baltimore,
Washington, Richmond, Norfolk, Virginia, are to furnish
assistance. I think this portion of the expedition is to make
its way out of Chesapeake bay in small fishing craft, &c.,
and connect with steamer outside on the Atlantic ocean. Men are
also to reach them from Cape Hatteras via Raleigh, North
Carolina, Charleston, Savannah, &c. St. Augustine, Florida,
is a sub-rendezvous, from whence Vicksburg, Mobile, and the
interior places are to forward material and men, and from whence
they will be taken to Cape Sable, Florida, which is easily
accessible from Nassau. Here at Nassau I am informed the
filibusters have bought several ex-blockade-runners to transport
themselves and Maximilian’s ex-officers, who are to leave Havana
soon, say within 30 days, to some place (if not Vera Cruz
itself) between Minatitlan, in the bay of Campeachy, or else
Alvarado. This seems the most likely and gives color to to this
plan:
1st. A movement across the Rio Grande to Matamoros to distract
attention and draw away your Mexican army.
2d. While the 2d division effects a landing at Cape Ross and
moves out to Tampico and San Luis Potosi, and awaits the 1st
division to meet them, the 2d, while they make their way through
from Matamoros to Victoria to San Luis Potosi: while this is
being done the corps which have crossed the Gulf, and also
having made a landing, will push Up on to Vera Cruz.
3d. While the 1st and 2d divisions move down to Queretaro, and
then the 3d and 4th divisions try to close in on Mexico via
Jalapa,
These I believe certainly are the intentions of the leaders. I
may have made some mistake, but think I have written everything
correctly. I am doing this work for nothing, and I hope Mr.
Romero will either send me to New Orleans and let me work this
affair according to my own notions, or else recompense me for my
services. I advise you not to slight what I tell you; notify
your government of this at once, or it will be regretted only
when it is too late. The leaders are keeping very quiet now,
because they were making too much excitement about the movement
here. Baltimore is the headquarters. They have plenty of money,
and are now being assisted by Englishmen, Frenchmen, Austrians,
Prussians, and throughout all of Europe. If you can send me by
the next steamer to Havana, I will be able to give you every
information you desire, either by going directly to Vera Cruz,
and so on to the seat of your government, or else telegraph you
in cipher or write you by mail. Nothing is to be done for some
30 or so days; time is needed to make everything work smoothly
for themselves.
Yours, &c.,
Mr, Romero, Minister of the Mexican
Republic, Washington, D. C.
