The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-05-17
BY LAST NIGHTS MAIL.
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENTS.

DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENTS.
| Wo learn from our Washington exchances NJ
Monday, that the last instalment Of documents
| rclatvo to Mexico makes between five hundred
and six hundred pages. 1t appears from this mass
OF correspondence, that on the 5th of january Nj
ROMERO sent documents to Mr.. SEWARD, showing
in the first place, that tho assassna alton of Gen
ARTEAGA. was an accomplished fact, notwith.
standing the endeavors OF the French to conceal
1t; and, moreover, that it was premeditated and
| executed by orders from Mexico or by the com.
mand Of the French GoneraI-in- Chief of tho in
Vading army, or by the French agent in that city,
on whom they try to lay theresponsibiity Of their
conduct. He adds that tho assassins have not
had the manliness to assume the responsibility of
their crime, but have tried to conceal it, or i'm
pose the guilt of it upon an unhappy traitor off,
cor who has joined the conquerors of his country.
In a subsequent communication, dated February
70, transmitting to Mr. eEwARD additional docu-
ments, in order to keep the United States Govern
ment informed Of the conduct Of the invaders OF
Mexico, ho says, . o., ,..,.--
now call your attention to the inconsistency of
treating Mexicans as belligerents after having
once denied them that right. The French agent,
igerenta to the soldiers of the Republic, whom he
proclaims bandits in his decree of the Sd of
October, and shoots without trial in conformity
with his decree, even though they belong to the
regularly organized forces, now negotiatas a for
NAL exchange Of prisoners with Gen. Riva Palacio
whom he calls general" and fatters with cour-
ooners. To say the least, this signifies an ac-
knowledgment Of the rights of belligerents to the
forces of the Republican army. The evident OBJ
!ect Of this inconsistency is to gain the release of
the French priso and it is an open confession
forced from these invaders Of the Mexican soil
that those forces defending tho independence of
their country are not disorganized bandits or
and absurd to deny them the consideration
usually extended to all belligerents throughout
the civilized world.
On the 10th of March, M. ROMERO addressed
MIR. SEWARD as follows:
An. Secretary: AS a specimen Of the manner in
which the so.caled decree of the usurrer Maxi
miiian Issued October g. 1865, ordering the execu-
ton of all Mexicans who defend the independence
OF their country, is carried out, have the honor
TO incose to you with this note the death sentence
pronounced against Colonel Carlos Garcia Con,
and the mode of i.s execution, contained in an ex-
tract from La Sombra, paper published in the
City OF Mexico The colonel was twenty five years
Of age. He had once served in the ranks Of the
1nterventlonists, but afterwards reflecting OIL his
duty as Mexican, he juined the defenders of in
dependence He was subsequently, taken prison
er condemned, and executed in the irregular
manner shown by the annexed document. T re-
fraln from commenting on what is here i'm properly
called trial. and which is nothing but real ass as-
so-called decree, which is already known to tho
Government of ihe United States.
Mr. SEWARD replies, March IA, 1866:
SIR: have the honor to acknowledge the ro-
ceipt OF your communications OF January aud o.
and February 20, and March 10, 1866, with their
Enclosures, which relate to the decree issued Oc-
tober 8, by the so-called Emperor Of Mexico, and
in which the penalty of death ia declared against
tegrity aud independence Of their country against
the forcible Intervention OF France in that Repub-
lie. You further inform me that this penalty has
actually been visited upon Maior-denera! Jose
Maria Arteaga, and several of his companions in
arms, recently made prisoners by the French In
reply, it is scarcely necessary for me- to assure
you that the Government of tho United States
deeply regrets the untimely fate which has over
taken those brave champions of the cause of lib
erty and republican institutions in Mexico and
fully deprecates the practice Of a system Of war;
iightened States. I beg in answer to state that
the subject will receive the attention to which it
is 30 justly entitled from this government, and
meanwhile have the honor to renew to you, sir
the assurance OF my highest consideration.
(Signed) WM. 81. SEWARD.
senor NJ. RoMERo, &c., Washington, D. g.
The following correspondence took place be.
tween Gen. WEITzEL and Gen. MEJIA:
HEADouAnrERs DISTRICT OF THE Rio GnANDE,
BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS, january 2, 1866.
GENERAL: understand you have taken seven
teen prisoners from the Liberal forces, and that
you intend to execute them. In the name Of the
entire civilized world I protest against such
horrible act of barbarity. believe 1t will stamp
the power which you represent with infamy for
ever. To execute Me1icanS lighting in their own
country, and for the freedom of their country,
against foreign power, is an act which, at this
age, will meet with universe al execration. cannot
permit this to be done under the eye Of the Go
vernment without on its behalf, entering this
solemn protest. d
! am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
.,...., . G. WEITZEL,
Major General Commanding.
To Major General THOMAS MEuA, commanding