The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-12
VIOLATIONS OF NEUTRALITY
From the New Orleans Times.


concerning the violations of neutrality,
particularly by the Rdnchero, and other
blatant mouth pieces of Imperialism in
Mexico. 1t has been charged that che
civil and military authorities of the
United States have been terrible Offend
ers in that line; that neutrality
to them was but as SPIDERS web,
which offered no impeachment to I'M
scrupulous might, especially when in
fiuenced by determined favoritisln.
Among the practical maxims of law
there is one which declares that COM
plainants should come into court with
clean hands, and we think it will not be
difficult to prove that the Fraiko-Mexi-
can Imperial Government had its hands
foully stained in this neutrality bust
ness.
From sources altogether reliable, we
are prepared to state that while Browns
Vile was occupied by the Confederates,
it was an every day occurrence for sup
plies of medical stores, army blau kets,
and shoes, to be sent over from Nfata-
moros. This was done while General
Meja commanded at Matamoros, aud ii
was we'll understood between him and
the Confederate General (SlaugEiter
that cotton was to be returned for the
supplies thus sent. 1t is susceptible OF
proof that no effort was made by Gen
Mejia to prevent this breach of neutral
ity. The trade was constant during all
of the last year of the rebellion. Kefu-
gees from Texas, If citizens of the United
States, were arrested at Mato moros by
Gen. Mejia, at the request of General
Slaughter. and returned to Brownsville
The steamer Mexico, carrying the Ina
perial flag, was used for ferrying Con.
federate cotton to the Mexican side,
even after that cotton had become the
undoubted property of the United States
by the surrender of General + Kirby
Smith. On this cotton the authorities
of Matamoros charged and received a
duty of SIS per bale.
Furthermore, mails were regularly
passed through Matamoros to Browns
vile, and parties from Bagdad boarded
and captured the American steamer Ike
Davis and ran her into Indianola. On
another occasion party from Bagdad
captured and burned the America a
steamer Florence, at that time anchored
in Mexican waters. Deserters from the
Confederate army were regularly arrest
ed at Matamoros by order OF General
Mejia, and returned without ceremony
aud without a moments notice, to the
Confederate authorities. Refugees who
started for Brazos Santiago were detain-
ed by the French authorities, though
the commanding officer Of the United
States forces at Brazos requested per-
mission for them to pass. Supplies for
the garrison at Brownsville were regu-
larly conveyed from Matamoros in Coz
federate Government wagons, or taken
from Bagdad to Brownsville in vessels
| Avtuu thp T m, poriaI FLAG
From the time that Matamoros was
first occupied by the Imperial forces a
marked change took place in the treat
ment of American citizens who were
brought In contact with them. .'Refu-
gees" and Yankees" were spoken con-
| temptuously of, while those who es-
poused the Confederate cause were re-
| garded with special favor. During the
| Whole war MatamorOs was the grand
depot of the Trans Mississippi Confed-
| crate Cotton Bureau, and there cotton
was exchanged for rifles, uniforms and
all sorts of articles contraband of war.
The collapse of the Confederacy led
to financial crisis in Matamoros, and
the bitterness and charges of breaches
| OF neutrality which have recently been
aired on the Mexican side of the Rio
Grande all spring from the same source
disappointment.
In Bagdad United States officer was
not permitted to ride in public convey.
ance short time since. the reason being
that he was "a ID Yankee,'- tern
now applied to all loyal Americans.
On ootn occasions, when the national
forces approached Brownsville, Confed-
crate property was transferred to the
Mexican side of the river in Mexican
vessels. In May last the Imperialists
purchased from General Slaughter a
llght battery of six guns, with caissons
ana equipments, placed over them I'M
perial guards, and paraded them through
the streets of Matamoros amid the yiyt,
Of the people. These guns were finally
deposited in the Imperial barracks
On one occasion the Imperial troons
fired on United States soldiers. while
swimming in the river and striving TO
escape from pursuing column of Con
federates. After the assassination OF
PRESIDENT Lincoln, a mock grave was
made, as burlesque, within view OF
Gen. MeJia's quarters, and public rejoic-
lngs were permitted under the very ewes
OF the Imperial authorities. Similar
buffooneries were enacted at Bagdad.
and the .sstars and bars" were allowed
to be exhibited from the houses of per
sons who declared themselves enemies
of the United States.
4 During the very last skirmish of the
war, between troops under General
Slaughter, on the one side, and Colonel
Barrett, on the other, the American sol.
diers were fired on from the Mex,o.r
shore. Artillery was carried across ~
river by the Confederates after the a., ~
render; the Lucy Quinn was nern;st..S
to run into RaQdad thouuh IL -