The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-11-13
Matsmora., and such !: the position | occupy in

Matamoras, and such Is the position occupy in
the face of the civilized world.
know not in what point ofview my conduct and
that of the brave men associated with me, may be
regarded by the present Federal Government of
the United States but, if these were the times of
Otis, and of Henry, of Putnam, Warren, and
Washington might well hope to es ,spe cersure
from those men whose example have followed,
and whose names have, by association with the
50 me cause, been rendered immortal
/ have the satisfaction Of believing, that the
great mass OF the American people still revere the
God speed to the cause of freedom, in which they
gained the laurels that will never fade their
brow. The Americans who are s,ting with me
will not shame either their country or their name
as that which has inscribed on the same roll with
that OF Washington, those. other names, noble as
his allies, Lafayette, kosciusko and Pulaski. |
hope regenerated Mexico viii be as grateful in her
present hour Of need, as the people Of the United
States have been to those gallant foreigners Who
in the dark hour of their tribulaton, came 70 their
rescue. The causes set forth in the Declaration Of
Independence, by the colonies Of America, in 1876
were not more potent and aggressive, upon the
rights OF man, than those which stimulated the
people OF Northern Mexico to take UP arms in their
own defence. The keen sighted patriots Of our sis
ter republic, in the language of Mr.. Burke,
'snuted the approach of tyranny in every tainted
breeze" while the people of Mexico have felt its
practical application from the mailed hand and
iron heel Of corrupt power.
You have been pleased to state, sir, that tho
forces under my command are said to be attacking
and destroying by fire, property Of peaceful Ameri
can citizens and that they have also desecrated the
flag and fired upon and wounded the consul Of the
United States | know not who may have been
your informant but take leave to assure you, that
1t would be difficult question to determine which
predominated-his Ignorance, his malice, or his
presumption on your credulity It is utterly false
that the forces under my command have attacked
or destroyed private property by fire, or in any
other manner. The fire that occurred in Matamo-
ras, on Friday, was not kindled by my orders, by
any of my men. The torch applied by the
enemy; and as the wind was setting at the time in
the direction of my headquarters, and the place Of
deposit for my ammunition, it seriously endanger-
ed the safety of both and as large amount
of goods were consumed, portion Of which
had not found their way to that place through the
regular ordeal Of the Custom House, my interest,
emitting my adherence of such mode Of warfare,
would have restrained me from this inceudiary
course. 1t was the work Of the enemy, and on their
heads be the responsibility. The imputation, that
either |, or the men uader my command, have
desecrated the American flag, would excite my
indignation if il were not beneath my contempt.
love and honor that flag for it is the harbingsr of
liberty to the world; and have many men under
my command wao have fought and bled in uphold
ing it, and who are quite as ready as you are, or
the President of the United States, to offer their
hearts blood in shielding it from dishonor This
charge, SIR is unworthy Of you it is srited
by those against whom yeu make it. l de,pise
the authors pity their dupes.
So far as relates to the allegat that tn Ameri
can consul fred on and wounded. am unable to
give you any positive assurance. This much can
emphatically state, that lis flag and his official resi-
dence were scrupulously respected If he abandon
ed these and mixed with the thropg in the streets,
herded with the enemy. assisted the portsrs in
securing bales of goods under the fire Of our guns
and was thus wounded, it was his own fault, and
tions, in regard to the personal immunity of con.
suls, is well known. They have no higher or better
right te protection, when city is besieged and as
saulted, than other private persons When Gen.
Scott, during the late war, battered dewn the hous
of some of the consuls in the city of Vera Cruz,
and wounded and injured the inmates of their fam-
lies, neither they, their governments, the world,
censured that distinguished chieftain. 1t was the
fate Of and If these consuls did not foresee the
danger that awaited them, it is difficult to see why
Gen Scott should have suspended his operations 10
have given them lesson in military engineering.
The Consul at Matamoras may profit by this hint
SO far as respects your statement that have
been engaged in violating the laws and territory
of the United States, beg leave to assure you
that you have been grossly deceived have been
engaged in neither; and when consider the extra
government of the United States, cooperating
with you, have made to restrain such violations |
cannot help believing you have been hastily led to
put credit in what a few moments sober reflection
would convince you was q groundless imputatioa.
have seen steamers Of the United states plying,
with cannon on their decks, up and down the river.
with the avowei purpose to arrest all violation of
The neutrality laws Of that government, and have
seen troops wearing the Uniform Of the army of the
United states with cannon pointed at me ferries,
within pistol shot of my encampment, by day and
by night, hailing all persons crossing the river,
subjeeting them to rigid examination; and it
must be taken for granted, that all these appliances
have been faithfully and vigorously used 70 enforce
the neutrality laws Of your country How could
these laws have been violated with impuntyl How
could they have been especially violated by me,
when have not been on the America side Of the
river within a hundred miles Of Brownsville for
several months At all events, If these laws have
been violated by any persons, the government Of
the United states has the power Of redress In its
own hands Its civil and criminal courts are open
for the maintenance Of its authority ard dignity,
ard am not aware that the military department Of
that government has any particular right to inter
fere IN the punishment Of a crime, Whatever power
IL may assume TO prevent its com mission.
In conclusion, 1teg leave to assure you that my
respect for the institutions flag and people Of the
United States, is so high and SO sincere, that |
should esteem il one Of the greatest msfortunes of
my life If had done or countenanced aught that
could justly offend the incest sensbities Of any Of
her citizens, desire to cultivate the most AMIGA
be relations with that cover and people, and
trust they will not view With total indifference our
struggles with sdversity, in the same path TO free
ION which their revolutionary fathers have so no
bly, trod have the honor to be, very respectfully,
four obedient servant,
JOSE MARIA J. CARvAJAL,
Commander in Chief Of the Libe:ating Army Of
Mexico
between Major La Motto
and Colonel Cara vajsl.
HEADQUARTERS RINeeoID BARRAcKs,}