Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-10
G.. WETZEI-,
Major General Commanding.
THE FRENCH NAVAL COMMANDER TO CE
WEITZEL.
First Letter

OPP rms RIO GRANDE, Nov. u. 1861
GENERAL | have been exactly informed
as to the events taking place in the surround
ings of Matamoras-that is 10 say, that |
am perfectly cognizant of the assistance
which the so-calltd Liberals have received
and still receive from Texas, aad more es-
pecially from Brownsville.
The mess, stores and munitions Of war are
furnished by persons under your command.
Escobede's pieces are worked by gunners
from your army who are not mustered out Of
service.
The wounded are received at Brownsville
Hospital The officers of Escobedo and
Cortina daily go 70 that city (armed) TO take
their meals or to rest during theleisure hours
which the siege of Matamoras leaves them.
In word. Brownsville seems TO be the head
quarters of the Juarists. And il is undoubted
that neither Escobedo nor Cortina could I'M
dertake anything if they did not have these
continually renewed resources from Texas 20
sustain them.
| will take the liberty to recall 70 yOu
memory how very different TO what il pass
ing here has been the conduct Of France dur
ing the recent war which has just torn the
American Union. France remained Loyalty
neutral. If it had been Otherwise-if we
had done the one-hundredth part Of what is
being done in Brownsville or or the banks
of the Rio Grande-the American people
would have loudly protested, and they would
have been right.
The international Laws adopted by all civ
ilized nations are obligatory upon all. As
they bound us IN honor 10 remain neutral,
so do they bind you also; you can not pre-
tend to be exempt from rules upon which
you have leaned under pretext that they are
now useless.
After having presented TO your General
the preceding observations, l close my letter
by protesting i'm the most formal manner
against the fragrant violation of neutrality ON
this frontier, and particularly in Browns
Vile
Accept, General, the assurance Of my
highest esteem and most perfect consider.-
ton. G.. CLIQUE
Commanding the Naval Division Of the
Mexican Gulf
To the General Commanding the forces Of
United States ON the Rio Grands.
GENERAL wEITzEI's RESPONSE.
HEADQUARTERS DisrRIcro OF TIE RIO GRANDE. I
Brownsville, Tex, Nov. 10. 1855. ~,
Monsieur @. Clone, Commander Of the Nayai Disq|
vision. Gulf Of Mexico: ~!
SIR have received your communicative
Of the 9Th inst, and return il herewith, n
cannot receive a document 80 disresPectful
to me and TO the Government | have the
honor 10 represent.
If YOU have any complaints 10 make, they
will be duly submitted 20 higher authority,
if said complaints are in proper tone and
cOuched in proper language.
| am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, q. WErrZEL,
Major General Commanding.
second Letter.
OFF THE MOUTH OF THE RIO GRANDE. I
FRIGATE MAGELLAN, Nov. ., 1866. (
GENERAI-l have the honor 20 inform
you that some shots we're fired froE the
American side at a detachment Of French
Marines going up the river on the steamboat
Antonio.
According TO my positive orders the Off
Ger commanding the detachment recon-
mended 10 his men not 10 answer any act Of
hostility whatever coming from the Ameri-
can side. This order was executed, and will
continue 20 be, whatever happens, because
We understand our duty as bclligerents, and
are determined not 10 swerye from il. Ac-
cording 10 international laws, the armed
Mexicans who cToss your frontier should be
arrested and disarmed. With stronger rea-
son 10 these laws require that you should
not tolerate any acts ofhostility coming from
your side. Ii IL failing in respect 10 the
United States TO come upon their territory,
and from there fire upon our troops .iithout
danger.
am confident, General, that the acts Of
hostility committed against the Antonio
were committed without your knowledge,
and am certain that il il sufficient for me
10 have called your attention to such depior-
able occurrences in order that they be not
renewed. =
You are probably unaware that the assail-
ants Of the Antonio communicated with your
troops descending the river on the steamboat
Tampico, and, besides that, these same as
sailants crossed over 10 Texas, Ia sight Of
the Antonio, and were seen frasernizing with
the United States soldiers.
| had the honor 10 write 20 you, upon my
arrival in regard 10 the grave occurrences
which are taking place On the frontier, and
would be happy 70 learn that you have re
ceived my letter
Accept, General, the ASSURANCES Of the
sentiments Of high esteem, ard consideration
with which have the honor 10 be- your most
obedient servant g. CLIQUE,
Com'ding Naval Div. Of Mexican Gulf
To the General commanding the forces Of
the United States ON the line u the Rio
GraEde, Brownsville.
WErTzEL. To CLIQUE.
HEabouAKTKRs Dfsr. OF THE RIO GRtyDz, 1
BroEnsEiile Texas, November u. lsso. ! j
Monsieur G.. Choue, Commander Of The Ma
val Division of the Mexican Guif
SIN: have the honor 10 acknowledge thel
receipt Of your communication Of the 9Th
instant.
Several DAYS ago I received one from Gem
eral Meiia on the same subject bat before IS
had received either had commenced 10 in-
vestigats The affair, and az soon as / can
win reply b General Msiias "A he signs hia,<
self and i understood TO be commander q
the line Of the Rio Grande or the other aids
and because have neither the time Bor dis
position 10 correspond with two dlherqz II
commanders ON the same subject. aug
very respectfully,
Your obeiieEt servanF
&. WEfF
q II 4