The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-09


hundredth part of what is being done
IN Brownsyille or Oh the banks of tn,
Rio Grande, and the American peopl,
would have loudly protested and Che,
would have been right. %# 81
| Ihelnternational laws adopted by all
civilized nations are obligatory upori ALL
AS they b0undzus in honor to renaair,
| neutral, so do they bind you also; YOU
| cannot pretend to be exempt from rules
| upon which you have leaned under pre-
text that they are now useless.
After having presented to you, Gen
eral, the preceding observations. I close
my letter by protesting in the most
formal manner against the fragrant vio-
lations of neutMlity on this frontier.
and particularly in Brownsville.
Accept, General, the assurance of my
highest esteem and most perfect consid-
Grafton. SG. CIoUE
Commanding the Naval Division
ofthe Mexican Gulf.
10 the General Commanding the Forces
1.-THE United States on the Rio Grande.
q -at GENERAL wETTZELs RESPONSE.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE Rio On ,ypE. D II
,g. BROWNSVILLE, Texas, Nov. 10, 1865
Monsieur g CLIQUE Commander Of he Marai Disision,
SIR: have received your commupi.
cation OF the 9th instant, and return-it
herewith, as ! cannot receive a dOc,l-
ment SO disrespectful to me and to the
Government ! have the honor to repre.
sent. IN .TSi}D fAV1H
If you havr any complaints to make,
they VIII be duly. submitted to higher
authority, If said complaints are in
proper tone and eouched I'M proper lam
guage.l, am, sir, very respectfully,
your obedient servant, 4ifl
.D... ELPf Il. WETTzEL,
Major General Commanding. %"
SECOND Letter
OPP THE MOUTH OF the RIO GRvNDE -
..-,. FRldATE MAGELLAN Nov. o. 1865 l'(N4
General: l have the honor to Inform
you that some shot were fired from tile
American side at a detachment of
French marines going up the river on
the steamboat Antonio. m5
According to my positive order the
officer commanding the detachment re-
commended to his men not to answer
any act of hostility whatever coming
rom the American side. This order
was executed, and will continue to be,
whatever happens, because we under
stand our duty as bell igerents, and are
determined not to swerVe from it, Ae-
c0rding to international laws, thearrned
Mexicans who cross your frontier should
he arrestedand disarmed. With stronger
reason do these laws require that Won
should not tolerate any acts of hostility
coming from your side. Tits failing In
respect to the United States TO come
upon their territory, and from there fire
upon our troops without danger.
10 am confident General, that the acts
committed against the Antonio were
committed without your knowledge. and
am certain that IL is sufficient for me
to have called your attention to such de-
plorable occurrences In order that they |
be not renewed. apnnalt ttI -.
You are probably unaware that the
of the Antonio communicated |
with your troops descending the river
on the steamboat TampicO, and besides
that these same ASSISTANTS crossed over 10 |
Texas, in sight Of the Antonio, and
were seen fraternizing with the United
States soldiers. d64HfSud ~"
had the honor to write to you upon
my arrival, in regard to the grave occur
rences which are taking place on the
roptier, and would he happy to learn
hat you have received my letter. II
Accept, General, the assurance of the
entiments of high esteem and iconsid-
'ration with which 1 have the .honorito I
10 your most obedicnt servant
''D- &. CLIQUE,
Commanding the Naval Div. of the
Mexican Gulf. e4a' a0i s'li
TO the General Commanding the I;
orces OF the United States, on tie line
If the Rio Grande, Brownsville.
.D) q y ,WEITzEL TO CLIQUE tVBE
IlDQRs. DISTRICT OF THE RIO q "a ypg
algstta. BRowNsyiLLE, Texas, Nov. IL, 1865.
fonsieW q. CLIQUE, Commanding Of As Nacal D;pisou
fMe Merican Ga!f: ~ Y.it
SIR:I have the honor to acknowl-
dye the receipt of your communication :
t the 9th inst. -, -,.,.e,,'',,,',,
Several days ago received one from !,
'eneral Mejia on the same subject; but :
efore | had received either had com :
lenced to- Investigate the affair, and as
Will reply to General Mejia as he
gins himself and is understood to he :
of the line of the Rio Grandc q
the other side, and because have Y
either the time nor the disposition to \
'rrespOnd with two different COM II
landers on the same subject, f..F G.
am, very respectfully, e.
Your Obedient servant. Is u
. ''@"'''A G. WEITZEL, r.-. II