Mr. Plumb to Mr.
Seward.
No. 170.]
Legation of the United States,
City of Mexico,
August 8, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copy
of a telegram and of subsequent communication by mail, received from the
United States commercial agent at Mazatlan, reporting that the English
government had taken upon itself the adjustment of the difficulties
occurred at that place, and inclosing a communication addressed to him
by the commander of her Majesty’s ship Chanticleer, stating that all
restrictions placed upon the port of Mazatlan were from that day, July
20, removed. Copy of a previous dispatch from Mr. Sisson, under date of
July 6, is likewise inclosed herewith. I have also the honor to transmit
herewith copies of communications I have to-day received from the
English vice-consul and the consul of Prussia at Mazatlan, acknowledging
those addressed to them by me on the 6th of July, of which copies were
transmitted to the department with my dispatch (No. 156) of the 7th
ultimo.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Sisson to Mr. Plumb.
No. 2.]
Consulate of the United
States, Mazatlan,
July 6, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that
for want of time, I could not write by the extraordinary, giving you
the information I wished.
On the 16th of June last, Captain Bridges, of her Majesty’s ship
Chanticleer, and his paymaster, were passing the custom-house on the
way to their boat, when the latter was arrested and taken into the
custom-house and searched. They found on him three hundred and sixty
dollars in ounces, and about fifty dollars of change, which the
paymaster said was his pocket money, (the captain and paymaster at
the time protesting against the act.) The authorities kept the three
hundred and sixty dollars, but gave back the pocket money. The next
day the captain wrote to General Corona asking for the money to be
returned Corona wrote back in answer, as you will see by the
correspondence, stating it was a matter for the courts and not for
him to decide.
On the 18th the captain came on shore accompanied by one of his
lieutenants, both in full uniform, and on their returning they were
both stopped by a custom-house official and searched; then commenced
the correspondence that is now laid before you.
The blockade is still kept up in regard to Mexican vessels, but no
others. On the 27th ultimo, the United States steamers Saranac and
Resaca came into port, and I immediately reported the case to the
commanders; the Saranac leaves to-day for San Francisco, the Resaca
remaining. I understand, but not officially, that the blockade will
be kept up until the English admiral is heard from.
I have the honor to remain your obedient servant,
ISAAC SISSON, United States Commercial
Agent.
Hon. Edward L. Plumb, United States Chargé d’Affaires, Mexico.
Mr. Fuhrken to Mr. Plumb.
Prussian Consulate, Pto. de Mazatlan,
July 17, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your communication of the 6th instant.
Please accept my most sincere thanks for the generous attention
bestowed on my request.
[Page 566]
Mr. Woolrich will recognize direct the important service you have
rendered to his government.
I beg to add the expression of gratitude I personally, and the
community at large, feel for the prompt and most efficacious action
you took in the matter of her Britannic Majesty’s ship
Chanticleer.
I have handed your note, and the answer of the Mexican government, to
Mr. Woolrich, who will communicate them to Captain Bridges when he
returns.
The Chanticleer left us a few days ago, probably with the object to
replenish her stores in San Blas. We expect her back in a few days,
together with the Cameleon, due here since the 1st instant.
The admiral’s answer may come to-morrow, by the steamer from
California.
Captain Bridges, in the meanwhile, has permitted the coasting vessels
to enter and leave the port.
I did not see him personally since the 18th June, but heard from him
through Captain Frarly of the United States steamer Saranac, and
Commander Bradford of the United States steamer Resaca, who happened
to touch here with their vessels.
Both are old acquaintances of mine, and we have frequently talked on
the subject. They consider the insult offered Captain Bridges a very
serious one, which could not be overlooked by his government. At the
same time they do not consider the established blockade as legal,
and I attribute it partly to their conciliatory advice that Captain
Bridges has observed so much leniency of late.
With the same desire for reconciliation on the part of the Mexican
government, the difficulty would be easily settled, but I fear their
reluctance in giving a decisive answer, the ample field left to our
authorities to build up new expedients according to their wishes,
will lead to new complications and not spare us the fate of being
the victims.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, the
Prussian consul,
Hon. E. Lee Plumb, United States Minister Resident, &c., &c.,
Mexico.
Mr. Woolrich to Mr. Plumb.
British Vice-Consulate, Mazatlan,
July 18, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge
receipt of your communication of the 6th instant in reply to mine of
the 23d ultimo, and beg to thank you very sincerely for the trouble
and interest you have taken in the matter on which I took the
liberty of addressing you.
Although the Mexican government does not seem to have given so much
attention in their comments upon the gross insult offered to
Commander Bridges, as upon the matter of the money taken from the
paymaster of the Chanticleer, still, I have no doubt that in their
private instructions they will have been more explicit, and have
authorized General Corona to do every justice, and afford an ample
satisfaction.
The blockade of the port has been merely nominal, as Commander
Bridges went out to sea and allowed the Mexican vessels to leave the
port, returning only this morning to his anchorage after a cruise of
some eight days, in anticipation of the arrival of the San Francisco
steamer, which has not yet come in sight.
I have the conviction that this question will have a pacific solution
and the satisfaction to know that your kind interference will have
contributed largely towards effecting the same.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
Hon. E. Lee Plumb, United States Minister Resident, &c., &c., in
Mexico.
[Translation.]
Mr. Sisson to Mr. Plumb.
[Telegram dated
at Mazatlan
July 20, 1868; deposited
at Guadalajara July 29, 1868; received in Mexico July 29.]
E. L. Plumb, Chargé
d’Affaires, Mexico:
The government of her Britannic Majesty has taken upon itself the
duty of arranging the difficulties. The blockade is raised.
The Chanticleer has orders to proceed to Panama.
ISAAC SISSON, United States Commercial
Agent.
[Page 567]
Mr. Sisson to Mr. Plumb.
No. 3.]
Consulate of the United
States, Mazatlan,
July 21, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that
your communication of July 6 was received, also the dispatches for
the English and Prussian consuls, all of which were delivered
according to request.
I inclose you a dispatch from the English and Prussian consuls, as
also a communication directed to me from Captain Bridges, of her
Majesty’s ship Chanticleer.
The English consul informs me that communications have heen received,
stating that her Majesty’s government had taken charge of the
matter, and that the Chanticleer will proceed on her cruise.
I have the honor to remain, your obedient servant,
ISAAC SISSON. United States Commercial
Agent.
Hon. E. L. Plumb, United States Chargé d’Affaires, Mexico.
Commander Bridges to
Mr. Sisson.
Her Britannic Majesty’s Ship
Chanticleer, Mazatlan,
July 20,
1868.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you
that all restrictions placed on the port of Mazatlan and the
Mexican vessels are from this day removed. I beg to express to
you my thanks for the friendly assistance you have been good
enough to give, in endeavoring to bring the disputes between the
Mazatlan government and myself to a satisfactory issue.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
W. W. BRIDGES, Commander and Senior
Officer West Coast of Mexico.
The Consul
of the United States at Mazatlan.
