, 1866-03-01
TIE MEXICAN QUESTION.
The Hardad. OutraGe-M. de Mon
1hcIen's Despatch to brouyn de

The Rardad Outrsse-m. de Mon-
1hpIen,s Despatch to Drouyn de
pHuya.
The following despatch has been received
here by the Minister for Foreign Ahaifs,
from the French Minister In the United
States:
WAsu1SaTox, Jan. e3.-M. Le siinistre:
The intelligence We have received ior some
days past from the Rio Grande through the
New orleans journals would be very serious If
entire belief could be attached to It: Fortu-
nute1y It Is much exaggerated, and hasten TO
acauaint your E1cel,ency that the under Sec
rctary Of State has already given me proof
that, whatever the facts may be, the Govern
mont will cause neutrality to be respected BY
the military authorities, to whom the most
precise and strict orders have already been
despatched.
Accordln. to the telegsams received here
the day before yesterday, sixty men Of negro
regiment, stationed below the river, are sald
to have left their camp during the night be-
tween the 5th md 9Th Of January, md having
creased the river, succeeded, thanks to the
understanding they had, no doubt, with per
| sons in the town, IN taking possession Of the
| town al Bagdad, which was immediately Pill
ias-ca By soldiers made prisoners, who de-
clared Themselves Lfbera1s, and BY The negroes
who came from TEXAS. 4 vessel anchore1s e
the river Was attacked at the same time, but
without suecees. Being informed Of these facts
the commanding general Immediately sent
| troops to Bacdad, the soi-dtaant garrison OF
| which had ned to the upper part Of the town,
| and took temporary possession Of the place
| to prevent the continuation Of pnlage.
| lie had further Issued orders that 1t only
should be given up to the Imperial authorl-
ties when they shonld present themselves. As
soon us thesc facts we're notified to me went
to Mr. Hunter, oficiating as Secretary OF
state, to ask of him Al explanation of the
conduct Of the troops charged with main-
timing order upon the frontier, and with the
prevention, as be had often assured nc, Of oil
fnffaction Of the laws Of neutrality. The State
Department had not then received any official
Intelligence, bat 3Ir. Hunter had Immediately
applied for information to- the Minister OF
| War upon the report being spread Of the cap.
lure Of Bagdad by hlibusters.
| The following day returned TO the Minis
try to learn what had tlansplred, and Mr.
Hunter showed me q series OF teleRrnms sent
By General Sheridan TO Mr.. Stanton, which are
| Of the most satisfactory nature Gen. Sher1'
dan, attributing the disorders which had ia
ken place to tho efforts Of IN American, nam
ed Crawford, who, calling hImselt Mc1ieaI
to @ recruit troops fo1 Juarez, announces thai
no Is going TO hive him arrested, togethe
with q A1r. Reid, who processes to be q Co1ouc
under Juarez, md Chief Of Crawford's staff
The correspondence reproduced By the pres
sufficcs to show the part played by these tw
persons, and to justify their arrest. It Is diih
cult, however, to understand how Gen, Well
eel could have thought himself at liberty t
enter into official communication with the so
d.sfaxt Gen. Crawford.
However this may be, Gen. Weitzel has n
longer command, and the correspondence
! OF Gen. Sheridan Is satisfactory proof to us
| not only Of the desire OF tho Government +
cause neutrality to be maintained. but Of th
I general determination to have the orders b
6as received for that purpose strictly carEtet
into execution. While awaiting further In
formation, have, therefore, to renew to you
Exccllcncy, the assurance that the Govern
ment Is thoroughly determined not to alloE
itself to be drawn into conflict with Us b.
flibusters and agents Of Juarez.
It must be observed that General Sheridas
concludes his last despatch by axpreasin!
doubts as to the expediency OF sending troop
to Bagdad to preserve the town from p1llnge
and by saying that be hopes nevertheless tbs
the lmpeTial{sts will not take umbEage st TIL
proceeding, Us It was for them, and In their in
terests, that this course had been adopted
And, IN fact, as have stated ab0ve, the com
manding officer Was ordered TO withdraw 9nl.
before the Imperial authorities, to WHOM Bag
dad belonged before the surprise. II, as
hopa, the authorities on the other side Of n!
frontier understand the situation, the incl
dent will have had here, after all, s9lntarl
elect, by proving TO the American Govern
! ment how urgent 1t Is that they shonla LAX
precautions against the repetition Of anila
occurrences. The reaction from this affra1
win be Eta1 to ita authors. y.
De good enough, &C.,
I ~