New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-12-05

FORCES on tue texas side OF the lilo Grandc aso tart
letter from the French naval commander and Gen. W.
The New Orleans mail of yesterday brings the
resPondence in full and We lay it before readers as
part Of the current history Of the day.
GEN. MEJIA TO GEN. wETTzEL.
MEXICAN IMPERIAL ARMY.
DIVISION sOP MEJA, GEyERAIIy CHIEF
MATAMoRos Nov. 9, 1865.
GENERAL 1 forward you inclosed copy Of commu. |
ncaion. dated yesterday sent to me by d. de la Bedol
Hero, lieutenant in the French marines and acting CON-
mander of the armed gunboat Antonio. You can. by |
said communication. officially take cognzance of the
following occurrences. which include so many fragrant
violations Of the neutrality which the United States
have obligated themselves to keep in Mexican affairs
First! That the Mexican steamer Antonio coming |
up the river with French troops board attacked
from the Texas shore without any pr0vocation what
ever. Nor this insult to the French and Mexican |
flags which were both floating on the boat in any way
punished.
Second. That the bes,egers Of Matamoros detached
from their lines to attack from Mexico, the said steam
boat crossed the Rio Grande under without any
opposition being made by the American authorities.
officers soldiers, from whom on the contrary, they
received hearty welcome.
Third, That the same bandits were in direct commu
nicaton with the American steamboat Tampico during
the action. The relation Of NJ de la Bedoliero Is con-
rmcd by the unequivoca marks left on the Antonio by
the projeetes sent from the Texas shore.
Beside this Of the same character nave
taken place in the neghborhood OF Matamoras during
the stay the enemy. According 10 the diiy reports
of the steamer Paisano and Eugena, great number OF
nersons. among whom could be distinguished the uni
form oftne United States and that peculiar to Corta
robbers occupy themselves in insulting and even
throwing stones from the City OF Brownsville at the
troops which said boats and this in the presence
OF the American officers and guards stationed on the
bank OF the river.
such outrages which cannot naturally be explained.
have been noted and relation Of them will be trans
mted Ia the Mexican Government and His EIceIlency
Marshal Bazainc in order that they may decide upon
the real character Of such actions. Accept, General
the assurance OF my consideration. THos MEJA-
Commanding line Of the Rio Granie.
fwe omit Bedolliero's CON ilnt In full the points
Of it are embodied in the above communication from his
superior oilicer.l
GEN. wEITZEL TO GEN. META.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE RIO GRANDE, I
brownsville TEXAS Nov. 10, ls65.
General THOMAS MEJA, Commanding line Of The Rio
Grdnds
GENERAL: have the honor 10 acknowledge the re-
cept OF our communication Of the 9th inst and say in
rely that YOU, a soldier must certainly be aware
that il would require all the cavalry Of Europe and
America combined TO picket this river 10 prevent
single individuals from committing such outrages as
Lieut. de Ia Bed0iere complains or and that II would
be Just in you TO hold me my Government respon-
sible for the acts OF such individuals. All that can
do Is 20 try my utmost 10 arrest the guilty parties and
dispose OF them according to Instructions and this
commenced TO do before received your letter. and
as soon heard of the occurrence.
The soldiers on the Tampico were sick aud disabled
men who mustered out, and were on their way TO
their homes. What crime there could have been in
communicating with the Liberals cannot possibly
derstand These sick and disabled soldiers had no
mnniton and they certainly could give them very little
information.
The fact that there were bulletmarks on the star.
board side Of the Antonio does not prove at all that the
shots fired from the American side, because. rs
Won must know the Rio Grade is crooked and has
many sharp turns that boat could be ridded her
sarboard side and still every shot be fired from the
Mexican shore. You complain that my officers and
men affiliate with the Liberals and welcome them. This
ID not strange The Liberals claim that they fight
ing for their freedom Their cause them Is one that
has awakened the warmest sympathies In every Amer
lean breast 1t would be impossible for me to pre-
vent this If felt disposed as it would be TO
stop the motion OF the earth. But do not feel so dis
posed. During our late war the officers and men OF
French and English men.ofwar lying in ports in our
military possession affiliated continually and exclusively
with our enemies as at New Orleans and Norfolk. and
vet it hot thought necessary to communicate with
them on the subject They were permitted TO choose
their own associates
have only heard of single instance when mob of
MeXcans threw stones at your gunhoats and this mob
was promptly dispersed by my guards.
Ihaye never heard Of "a single soldier making insult
ing remarks but have heard that Mexicans frequently
make them Ii wond be impossible for me 10 stop this
because have not the force TO spare for pckes though
felt disposed TO do IT. but do not feel disposed
because since my arrival here you have allowed
sheet published IN Matamoros and printed in the En-
gsh and Spanish languages daily to vilify and insult
The Government the people and the army Of the United
State and this too after your attention and that of
Senior Robes had been called 10 II.
You, General have right TO complain OF my con-
duet during the recent siege. perm tied the women
and children 10 come here from Matamoros meat to 20
over your citizens who remained grass the cows
Of the same and wood TO enable them 10 cook their
meals. Humanity required this. In return, gave
the wounded Liberals who were helpless and destitute
shelter medicines and food l invariably did this for
my wounded enemies For whom have done the
most in this matieri Is 1t not about an equal thngi
Again. you promised TO release American citizens
after my demand was made, from being pressed into
military service under You, contrary TO the treaty be-
tween Mexico and the United States; and yet Yesterday
heard of three that still held believe this 10
be entirely the ifult Of your subordinate officers and
do not blame you for II.
Again. you have converted an American steamsr
into gunboat and hoisted the Mexican flag on her
without first buying her and changing her nationality
according to law and against this hereby protest.
aud If not remeded will at lay the matter before
my superior officers.
As Monsieur CLIQUE. commander Of the naval division
in the Gull OF Mexico has already addressed me
OF the above subjects should be pleased il you would
send him copy OF this letter. as do not wish to
respond with two different commanders.
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedlent servant,
G.. WEITzEi, Major.Gen. Commanding.
THE FRENCH NAVAL COMMANDER TO GEN.
wEITZEL.
First Letter.
NAVAL DIVISION or TIE MEXICAN GULF,
, On BOARD THE FRiGAIE MAGELLAN, I
OFF THE RIO GRASDE. Nov. :, 1860
GENERAL: have been exactly Informed as 70 the
events taking place In the surroundings OF MatimorOs
that Ia to say that am perfectly cognizant OF the
assstapce which the so.oaed Liberals have received
aud still receive from Texas and more especially from
Brownsville. . =,
The mess stores and munitions of are furnished
nv persOps under your command EsCobeCas pieces are