The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-04

scarcely day passes but complaints forwarded TO the
Major General commanding from both parties lnvesti
CATION however invariably shows these complaints
founded based upon trivial facts which the narrow
ness OF the river and tie long line OF occupation render
impossible 10 prevent
place between the American commander and the respect
i've heads of the begerents has been Of the most coute
Gus and open nature and tho latter seem well satisfied
that the American authorities here are determined to
carry oct their instructions to maintain neutrality to the
ielier aad In manner consistent with the dignity OF
great nation.
ms ed exception TO this rule is shown in commu-
ncnlon OF the French naval commander before referred
TO- who with the accustomed of many foreign
Officers addressed letter TO the General most offensive
m tone and tenor which promptly returned, a will
be seen in the correspondence published below with the
reouke, IL merited.
The following is the correspondence which covers
nous causes Of COMPLAINT made by the imperial auhor-
ties
MEXICAN ISrERlL ARMY !
DIVISION MVJIA, GENERAL 4 HIEF,
MATANoRos, Nov o, 1855.
GkSERn-l forward you enclosed copy OF a COMMUNE
Hero lieutenant in the French marines and acting
mander Of the armed guuboat Antona- You can by
said communication officially take cognizance OF the fol
lowing ocsurrenccs which include many fragrant vo-
l9ons OF the neutrality which the United States have
Obligated themselves to keep insAiexican afairs:-
Fua-That the Mexican steamboat Antona, coming up
the river with French troops on board, was attacked
from the Texas shore without any proyocaon whatever
Nor was this insult 10 the French and Mexican flags
which were both floating on the boat, in any way pun
ished
.Sroad-That the besiegers of Matamoros, detached
from their lines TO attack, from Mexico, the said steam
boat crossed the Rio Grande under arms, without any
opposition being made by the American authorities ON
GERS soldiers, from whom, the contrary they re-
ceived hearty welcome
7hird-That the same bandits were in direct commu-
nication with the American steamboat Tampco during
the action The relation OF NJ. de Ia Bedoliero is con
rmed by the unequiyocal marks left the Antonio hy
the prolecties sent from the Texas shore.
Besides this occurrences OF the same character have
taken Iaec in the neghborhood of Mntamoros during
the stay OF the enomy. Ac ordng the daily reports
of the steamers Patsano and Eugenia great number
~
form 81 te United States and that peculiar IN ortna
robbers occupy themselves in insulting and even throw
ing stones from the city Of Brownsville at the troops
which said boats and this in the presence Of tho
American officers and guards stationed ON the bank Of
the river.
Such outrages which cannot naturally be explained,
have been noted and relation Of thcm will be trans
mtted 10 the Mexican government and to his Exceency
Marshal Bazane in order that they may decide upon the
real character of such actions Accept General the AS
surance of my consideration tbs MEJiA
The following is a copy Of the communication referred
TO m tue foregoing
IMpHpIAL ARMY OF MEXICO
DIVISION OF MsyA, GESERAr-is-CHiEr,
MATAMoRos, Nov =, 1865
GryERaL-I have the honor TO inform you that, coming
the river Rio Grandc with the Mexican steamboat An
tona, attacked by the liberals posted near Ranch
ito the Mexican side Of the river After the engage
men. saw two horsemen crossing Mhc river behind us
They landed the Texas shore and few minutes after
wards three shots fired from that side, almost
immediately followed by three morc and yet another
altogether seven shots had great deal Of trouble TO
restrain my men, aud keep then from firing into the
American shore. l gave the order not to IRE on the
Texan side under any circumstances whatever and was
strictly obeycd.
The two iorsemen who had fired upon us were slop
ing along the bank IN The direction Of brownsville and
convinced thut they wcrc the same who fred spon
us during the last Affair." which took pincc about four
miles from Matainoros.
two horssmen prancing up and down. exchanging
saluatons and shaking hands with the American ON
Several men, wearing the same uniform and who
had doubt crossed the river after the engagement
HAD rcjoncd these two, and seemed to be equally we'll
received by the Americans.
Daring the morning were continually annoyed by
horsemen, who firing at us under cover OF the
ranches and chaporral Arriving az place called, !
believe, lamparcna, the American steamboat
Tsmpico tied up the Mexican shore and loaded with
troops Tho liberals continued to fire upon until We
We're hid from their sight by tho iampieo
In passing they communicated with said steamboat
and agan commenced their FIRE upon us when we could
not them without hitting the TaInpco; and when
short time afterwards the superiority OF fire obliged
them TO y they back 10 the Tampco again,
inundated with her and then followed us. presume
they went TO the Americans 10 ask either for anmu.
milton or information ~ 20 our armament.
have thought IL my duty to make these facts known
'oyoa am General your ne very sos sEna,srrs
Ensign commanding steamboat Antonia
Literal and certified copy-AssELNo RUBIA
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT or rHE Rio GRAvpHl
BROWNSVILLE, Texas Nov. II, 1895.
General ToxAs MEJn, Commanding line OF the Rio
Grande:-
ceipt Of your OF the 9th nst and 70 say
In reply that you . soldier certainly he
that II would REQUIRE all the cavalry OF Europe And
America combined 10 picket this river TO prevent
single individuals from committing such outrages as
Lieutenant de 10 Bedoero complains Of and that " would
sble for acts Of such individuals All that do is
Try my utmost 70 arrest the guilty parties and dispose
Of them according 70 instructions: and this
10 do before received your letter, and soon ~
heard Of the occurrence.
The soldiers on The Tampico were sick and disabled
men who mustered out and we're on their way TO
their homes What crime there could have been IN
muncating with the liberals cannot possibly undor
stand These sick aud disabled soldiers had ammun
tion and they certainly could give thcm very little
The fscs IN. shs wsrs hulIss marks On the sarsoard
vsrs red from the Ansscan SIDE bscause - you must
know the no 0rsnds 10 % CROOKED and has 70 many
sde and atm svssy ahoe b rod nom the Nsxeaa shore
You complain thas my sncsrs and men affiliate wiah the
libsrais and wssco.s thsn. This = no. strange The
cause then b that has awakened tho warms sym
pashiss In every AmsnoAa sssAs. 70 would Be - I'm
= wesM bs . sisp he melton d che earth But %
mot feel % disposed During our late war the officers
and men Of French md English men of.wsr lying In
exclusively with our enemies ~ II New Orleans and
Norfolk and yst was not thought necessary 70 com
municats with them on the subject They were permit
ted 70 cheosetheir own associates.
have only heard OF sngie instance when mob OF
heHlcsns threw stones At your gunooats and this mob
have heard Of single soldier making insulting
remarks have heard thai Mexicsns frequently make
have tho force spare for pickets though
felt disposed 70 DO L. but do not feel disposed be-
cause since my arrival hero you have allowed
sheet published In Matamoros and printed in the Eng
sh and Spanish languages daily 70 vfy and insult the
government, the people and the army Of the United
Sates and this too after your attention and that Of
Senior Robles bad been called 10 IT,
You, General have right 10 complain Of my conduct
during tho recent siege. I permitted the women and
children 20 here from Maamoros meat to 60
your citizens who remained for the OF the
same, and wood 70 enable them to cook their meals:
Humanity required this In return gave the wounded
liberals who helpless and destitute shelter mcdi-
cines and food. invariably did this for my wounded
enemies For whom have done the most In this mat
teri II II about equal thingY
Again you promised N release American citizens after
my demand made, from being pressed into military
under you contrary 70 the treaty between Mexico
and the United States, and yet yesterday heard OF
three that were still held believe this DO entirely
the fault Of your subordinate officers and do not blame
you for IT,
Again you have converted an American steamer into
q gunboat and hosted the Mexican flag hcr, without
rst buying her and changing her nationality according
49,.