Weekly national intelligencer., 1852-07-03
THE RIO GRANpE.
TO THE EDITORS or THE NATIONAL rsrELrIoKscEn.


TO THE EDITORS OF NATIONAL ISTELLIoEscEa
WASHINGTON, JUNE 2l, 1862
We hnd in your paper of this morning the folio wing
From THE Rio GRASDE-Private letters from New Or
give from respectable the annexed partcu
lars Of several unpleasant which have lately
taken place on the Rio Bravo:
Early in this month the United States steamer co
anche was going up the river Brapo and on nearing
point known by the of Paso de Dona Cecilia she
stopped close to the Mexican shore Five persons landed
from her and killed which they about to carry
board when the forward and demanded to
be paid the value Of his This demand they refused
to comply with and answered with insults and threats
The owner Of the threatened them in return and
went off, The steamer continued her voyage and shortly
afterwards the pilot observed party Of approaching
the bank OF the river, and he fred upon them from the
steamer. The party shore then withdrew, and,
cendng the river they hid themselves behind pile of
wood waiting for the approach of the steamer upon
which they fired with muskets she came near
The result was that two passengers wounded Of
them being the deputy collector of the customhouse Of
Rio Grande, and the other his son.
We were not on the Rio Grande when the circumstances
spoken of occurred but have hesitation in pro-
nouncng the statement incorrect every particular in
proof of which ask you publish the following which
we find in the Rio Bravo newspaper of the 26h of May
ON BOARD STEAMBOAT CoMAscHE,
MONDAY, May IL, 1852.
We, the undersigned, passengers from Brownsville to
St. Louis, Edinburgh, and Rio Grande City, the
1
King and plying the Rio Grande to and from the Anne
rcan towns said river ezcsuey do hereby state that
on Monday May II, 1852, at point known by the name
of Rancho Santa Anna on the Mexican shore while sad
boat quietly and peaceaby pursuing her course up
said river from Brownsville aforesaid was fred into
from the Mexican shore, while very the same by
party Of Mexicans-the exact number not knewn-who
discharged twelve Shots Of which took effect on
the persons Of Mr.. w. B. Brashear and his son. boy
some four years DID, and the balance on parts
the boat. 9 ..' ,
Mr. Rrasbaor ;s ravar,a oesoar ss...;o..a - D..
Grande City, and was proceeding up the river accom-
panied by his family to the duties Of his Office
that place. ~
We further state that there was no cause or
on gwen by any OF the passengers, officers, Of
aid boat to warrant the outrage thus wantonly commit
Ned upon vessel belonging to the United States and
rSnning upon river free to both nations
h y F. Faunt LIE Roy E. O. Taylor.
| John L. Edmondson, A. " Edmondson
John A. Ewing j. F. George,
| A. D. Brashear, Trinidad Flores
/ Jacob Schwartz, Antonio Lca
We the undersigned, officers board the steamboat
Comanche do hereby certify that the above statement s
correct and true in every part0ar.
| r. KING Captain
i j. M. WARD Mate.
EDWARD DowNEY, Clerk.
JOHN MARTIN, Pilot.
/ CHAs NEEL Engineer
| JOSEPH w. TAYLOR.
In addition to this, have many letters from gentle
men on the Rio Grande equal in point of respectabiy
to any correspondent you may have in that region fully
confirming this statement. The persons who sign the
communication all known to be gentlemen Of
the most unimpeachabe veracity Mr. Faunt Le Roy is
the clerk of the United States Court for the district Mr.
the deputy collector Of customs Rio Grande
city The officers of the boat well known to as re-
liable and responsible men, and cheerfully en-
dorse their statements.
ROBERT II. HoRD, SAMUEL A. BELDEN
/ - PHELPS, j. SMITHE McMEcKEN.