The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-28
MEXICO.
wEITZEL AND MAJIA AGAIN.

We have endeavored to keep our read
ers informed of all events transporting
on the Rio Grande; also, in regard to
the military contest in Mexico. The
following correspondence between the
respective commanders on the Ameri-
can and Mexican side of the Rio Grande
is in continuation of that previously
published in the Post.
GENERAL MAJIA TO GENERAL wEITZEL
IMPERIAL MEXICAN Army, MArAMoRAs, Dec. I, 1866.
GENERAL--In answer to your COM
munication of October "a, will state
that / have taken the necessary infor-
nation in regard to the detention of the
individuals whom you ask ME to set at
liberty.
In none of the edifices which serve as
prisons in this city of MatamorOs can
there be found the persons of James Nc
Elrath, Bartly Quinn or James Smith.
But under the Jurisdiction of the Court
Martial are detained Richard Crawford
| or Crawford, Carter Smith and Joseph
King, American soldiers, who deserted
from your command ON the 10th of Sep
tember last and were taken prisoners in
the neighborhood of Matamoros on the
next day, the 18th, in skirmish which
took place between few of my soldiers
and one of Cortina's bands.
It Is, therefore, impossible for me TO
set them at liberty.
1t is true that few men of color, OF
American origin, were employed on the
public works or Notifications; but this
labor was freely given, and they were
paid one dollar each day.
You see that neither the laws nor the
treaties have been violated.
1t is also certain that during the last
operation in this city several negroes and
former United States soldiers were ar.
rested but they were afterwards liberated
Still the presence of individuals of this
class in the enemy's lines, the projectiles
of American manufacture which were
thrown over Matamoros, and the passing
of EscobedO's artillery unfortunately
to from Texas on United States tran
ports, justify in the eyes of my Govern
ment, such measures of security.
Accept, General, the assurance of my
highest consideration.
THOMAS MEJIA, General Commanding &c
To Major General WnfzEL, Commanding Western Dis
trict of Texas.
GENERAL WEITZEL'S REPLY TO GENERAL MEJIA
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT THE Rio CYANIDE, l
BROWNSVILLE, Texas, Nov. Y, 1866. I
Major General Thomas Mejia, Commanding Limo Of thu
Rio Granda:-
GENERAL: In accordance with instruc-
tons from Major General p. II. Sheri-
dan, commanding military division OF
the Gulf, transmitted through Major
General H. G. Wright, commanding
department. of Texas, / hereby notify
you that if any such outrages on Amer.
lean citizens as i complained of in nv
letter TO you of the oath of October last
are permitted within your lines no ex-
cuses for such conduct will be accepted
that you will not be permitted to com
nit acts against the United States
which are no accidents, and that tn,
government will not accept your per
sonal apologies for your bad faith.
l am further ordered to say to yo,
that hereafter when any garrison undeI
your command is in a state of siege, n,
supplies of any kind will be permitte,
to be sent to such garrison from thi
side, General Sheridan considering tina
ii would be less of violation of neu
trality against the legitimate authorit,
in Mexico to send powder to sucl
garrison.
am further ordered to stop all inter
course with any garrison during til
progress OF siege, except that Whicl
humanity shall dictate.
am, sir, very respectfully, your ODE
dent servant,
q. WEIrzEI, Major General Commanding
The foregoing communication was re
turned by General Mejia, with a verba
message, to which General Weitz 4 re
| turned the following.
HEADQUARTERS, DrsrRIcr THE RIO GRaspE,
BROWNSVILLE, Texas, Dec. a, 1865.
Major General Thomas Mejia, Commanding Line of tn
Rio Grande
| GENERAL-I have the honor to &C
| knowledge the receipt of your cOmmu
nicatiOn of the LIST instant, lin reply Il
my communication of the oath OctObe
last.
| The three men that cannot now bs
found in your prisons have long age
been released. If the three men of tn,
Twenty-third United States coloret
troops were captured in the lines of you
enemies i'm arms against you, i hav,
nothing more to say, of course. But 70
humanity's sake, ask that, on thei
trial, your court may take into consider
alton their ignorance, their ignoranc
of your language, and the fact that offj
GERS and others from the other side i'm
duced these men to do what they di
under promise of large sums of money
But three pieces of artillery have cross
ed and 'recrossed this river, and tbs
only once, and then net on UnIfe
States transports. But one of my IN
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