Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-01-23
ArxIco.
Imnortnnt Correspondence

letter from Brownsville, Texas, dated JANUARY
., says;
train of fifteen carts recently left Matamoras for
San Fernando loaded with valuable goods and
guarded by 4 small number of Imperial troops
When about five leagues from the city II was cap
tured by party OF Liberals. The owner succeeded
in making his escape and reported the facts TO Gen.
eral Mejia the Imperia commander, who despatched
Il force of the contra guerlas and rural police III
pursuit of the-captors About ten leagues from the
city they overhaued the Liberal party surprised them
they were at breakfast, and after desperate le-
sistance succeeded in capturing them. Eleven were
killed ut the first fire. and the balance were captured
and taken To the city. As is usual, arrangements
were Immediately made for the trial of the prisoners
preparatory 10 their being shot. The following cor
respondence has taken place in reference thereto be-
tween General r. Clay Crawford and the officers IN
command OF the respective shores OF the Rio Grande
General Crawfordr 10 General Weitze.
BROWNSVILLE TEXAS, Jan. l, 1866
Major General Godfrcy JVcit-el Commanding
District Of Rio Grandc Grd IireatyJyH army
Corps:
| Observation-Disclosures has just reached me that
number OF soldiers belonging TO the army Of the
| Republic OF Mexico were, this morning captured in
battle by the soldiers of the sO-called Emperor Of
Mexico, and that by the orders of the traitor Mejia,
they are to be shot TO death at daylight tomorrow
wish, General, TO protest in the name of hui
mainly against this violation of the uslges of civil
zed warfare, and to request that you the part of
! the Republic of the United States OF America, pre-
vent this atrocious murder of patriots in cold blood
! by the tools of the Austrian usurper.
! The opinions OF the people aud OF the Government
of the United States in relation to the inhuman or
ders of Macmillan, are well known
TO permit the patriotic soldiers of a sister Repub
lie, with which we preserve diplomatic relations TO
be butchered within sight of the United States
troopss to prove false to every principle held dear
! by an American citizen.
As an officer Of the army of the Mexican Repub-
lie, earnestly ask General, that you prevent the
commission of this dreadful crime.
| ] have the honor to be, General, your Obedient
servant, Il. CLAY CRAWFORD,
General OF Division, Army of Mexico.
General Weitzel TO General Crawford.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE Rio GRANDE, !
BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS, Jan. >, 1866. !
Il. clay Crawford, General Of Dipisioa, army Of
McriCO:
GENERAL-I have the honor TO acknowledge the
receipt of your communication of yesterday.
have notified General Mejia of the opinion which
! firmly believe my Government holds on that sub
icct, and have entered solemn protest in writing
against the act.
General Mejia replies that he is obliged to obey the
orders of his Government.
will notify my superiors of this, but have posi-
tive written orders not to commence hosties with
out instructions 80 to do. am, sir
Very respectfully,
Your Obedent servant,
G.. WEITZEL,
Maior-Geneal Commanding.
Tie following is the correspondence between Gen
erals Weitzel and Mejia:
HEADoU ARTERs, DISTRICT OF THE Rio GRANDE,
BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS, January ,, 1866.
Major General Tomas Mejia, Commanding Lime
IF the Rio Granite
GENERAL understand that yOu have taken sev-
enteGn prisoners from the liberal forces, and that you
intend 10 execute them.
In the name of the entire civilized world protest
against such horrible act of barbarity. believe
it will stamp the Power which you represent with
infamy forever.
TO execute MeXicans fighting in their own coun-
try, and for the freedom OF their own country,
against foreign Power, is act which at this age,
will meet with universal eNccraton.
cannot permit this to be done under the eye of
my Government without, on its behalf, entering this
solemn protest.
am sir, very respectfully, your obedent servant,
G.. WHITZEL
Major General Commanding