The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-09-17
NEWS FROM TIE BIO eRANDE.
The Trade OF Matamoros-COntrab nd
Cargoes-Movements OF the Rebels ON
tho RIO Grande, &C., 80.
OUR MATkhOROs CORRESPONDENCE.


Cargoes-Movements OF the Rebels ON
tho RIO GrAnde, &C., SO.
OUR MATkhoRos CORRESPONDENTS.
MArAxoRos, July 20, 1868.
Reliable InformGion-h atcwor0s Really Confederate
Port-Contraband Trade Be.,ueen New York and Noa.
moros-A Steamer Engaged in H-Occupation Of Texas--
The Rebels az BroHnsciile, dc.
As reliable Information from this part Of tho world 10
scarce with Northern journals avail myself Of an oppor.
tuny to send you some POINTS from this part OF Mexico
rather Of the socaled Southern confederacy IL is
nothing else the trade Of the place being that Of supply
ing the reboIs with all they need receiving cotton in re.
turn. The merchants are all in the Southern n-
terest, and are rapidly accommodating wealth through
their coutraband traffic. There now the
banks OF the RIO Grande thousands Of bales cotton
piled up awaiting transportation the river. A
number Of men engaged In the business who have
ferry for the purpose, using large atboas
whereby they enabled to transport large number
bales every trip
There 10 firm In New York largely engaged In
contraband business with Matamoros. They have
vessel that has made them money than all the
Of their ships put together On her FIRST voyage from New
Orleans to Matamoros she carried cargo OF contraband
goods her cargo from Maamoros to Havana cotton
her cargo from Havana to Matamoros, on the return
trip, was contraband, according TO the orders
Of Mr.. Savage, the United States Consul at
Havana, and consisted Of arms ammunition, clothing,
liquors and other articles or like nature; and in
formed by some or her crew here that they
were put ashore not TO DO able TO bear witness
against the steamer Melville In Of investiga ion
before the United states Consul at Havana her return
TO that port. Her captain, so am Informed, kept his
vessel five days in the port OF Havana In order
opportunity to take In the arms he being interested in
tho venture about thousand dollars that being
reward for consenting to take cargo OF such
few days after the arrival OF the Melville of the
mouth of the Rio Grande, French frigate captured
small English brig with conraband goods but the Mel
vile safe her cargo having been out as soon
as she arrived by lighter steamer, called the Bravo,
belonging TO a wealthy firm or New Orleans. This boat
had the Mevilles cargo board eight days before il
could be landed according To Custom House regulations
On her way mp tho Rio Grande there much excite.
ment the rebel side OF the river Magruder's troops
gave cheer after cheer for the captain OF the steamer
Melville and the steamer Bravo Captain Richardson,
formerly captain OF the Bravo, and good Union man.
shot BY the rebels the Texas side Of the river They
called loudly for him, saying "where 10 that damned
Yankee son Of bitchS'
II permitting trade OF this kind IL putting down
rebellion, why I should like 20 know II. Why
has our government long delayed the invasion Of
TexasS Troops could be landed on the coast between the
Rio Grande and BrAzos and stop put 10 all this blockade
running Contraband trade at Maamoros would DO bro.
ken thereby causing tho rebel army OF Texas TO suffer
for the necessares OF re and much DO done towards
crushing the rsbelilon.n Confederate money worth
but fourteen cents the dollar IN Brownsville, and
there no prospect at present OF It's reaching higher
Agurc.
The Confederaes have commenced TO fortify Browns.
vile; but there but few troops there the work
goes on butseowly. few regiments could readily get
possession OF the place and hold t. The majority OF the
rebel troops that there been reinforce
General Dick Taylor In louisiana the few remaining
mouth Of the river. There q few companies OF
valry employed on picket duty along the coast.