The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-26
M E K
The Alleged EscObsdo Letter a Forgery
The Correspondence Concerning It.


HEADQUARTERS SUB-DIsTRICT OF THE Rio
GRANDE, BROWNSVILLE, Texas, August l0.-
Major- General Sheridan, U. >. A., Commanding
General:-Herewith have the honor 10 forward
q letter from Governor Gomez, of the State OF
New Leon, Mexico, pronouncing as "falsehoOds"
a letter recently published in the Ranohero, of
Brownsville, and alleged by that paper to have
been written by General Escobedo OF the Mexi-
can army.
Also an accompanying letter from Major
General I. b. Berriozabal, commanding the
Mexican forces on the Rio Grande. General
Berriozabal called upon me in person. and re-
quested that these letters should be forwarded
TO you direct He desired, If your Judgment
an act of simple justice to Mexico
The remarks of General Berriozabal with
reference to the Rd7lcbeT0 are just. The course
OF that paper toward Mexico has been infamous,
and, so far as its influence goes. tends to retarj
the development of that good feeling and friend
iy intercourse between the United States and
MEXICO which should be encouraged to the ut
most. 1 have the honor to remain, General,
very respectfully yours &C.,
Colonel Twenty-sixth United States Infantry,
Brevet Major. General Commanding.
CoMANDANcIA MILITAR DE LA LINEA DEL.
BRAVO Distrito del Norte de Tamaulipas.-
General:-I have the honor to inform you that
my attention has been called TO singular arti-
Gle lately published In the Ranchero, Of Browns
Vile. 1t is in the form of a document said to
have been written by General Escobedo, and
addressed to Governor M. u. Gomez, of the State
of New Leon, and is very eXpl ess1ve of views
highly hostile to foreigners IN Mexico, which
views are said to be entertained in an exalted
degree by Escobedo.
regret that the article herein mentioned has
already gained wide circulation both In the
United States and ia Europe though it was
natural 1t should, as 1t bore the signature of
one OF the leading men of this country. How
ever, in order that such calumny against
General Escobedo personally, and against all
Mexicans generally, should not go abroad un-
contradicted, took the trouble Of requesting
Governor Gomez, as being the gentleman said
to have received this imaginary document, for
ayNlan no fOrda ma rla n,
inclose you herewith atranslation of the answer
TO my inquiries, received from Mr.. Gomez
on the 9th Instant By the communication of
Governor Gomez, you Will perceive that the So
called official letter OF General Escobedo, as
fabrication, and libel, inven ted and published
by that paper tor the unworthy purpose of
calumniating Mexico and the Mexicans In the
eyes OF the civilized world. by attributing to
her most distinguished defenders a narrow
minded and selfish policy which they have
never for moment entertained. AS long
ask a journal antagonistic to republicanIsm
confines itself to the mere fabrication of fcti-
tious news Of the country, or to the eXagSera-
is no reason to take notice of IL; but when a pc
riodical so far forgets its dignity and honesty as
to descend to the commission of the crimes of
forgery and libel (as has been the case here)-
crimes indictable and punishable by the laws
OF all lands-I should say IL would be Justihable
to put a stop to such outrages against the COM
munity, public opinion, and common decency.
am aware that the free institutions of the
United States give every reasonable scope and
latitude to the press of the country. 1t Is right
that 1t should be so, yet surely 1t can never be
good thing to permit irresponsible editors to
run riot with their neighbors fair fame, even
to the extent of fals1fytng signatures, without
calling them 70 an account for their reckless
Even the continuance OF such an abuse as that
here spoken of could never create an estrange-
circulation OF such libels tends to impress the
people of the United States, whom we look
upon as our particular friends and sympathi-
zers with the idea that the Mexicans are aVerse
TO foreigners seeking homes in this republic.
Quite the contrary is the case, l assure you, for
every intelligent Mexican whose opinion Is
worth having, fully recognizes the Importance Of
immigration and the advantages of an in
creased population to assist us In developing
the Immense resources OF our virgin soil. We
are now more than ever desirous that all indus
trious foreigners who choose should make their
homes in our country, identify themselves with
its interests as adopted citizens, and share with
us the same liberties and free institutions
which we have conquered for ourselves. Inde-
FELIPE B. BERRIozABAL
H, Matamoras, August9, 1867.
Major General j. j. Reynolds, United States
Army, commanding Brownsville, Texas
CoMANnANcIA MnITAR DE LA LINEA DEL
BRAVO DIsTRITo DEL NoRTE DE TAMAULI-
s,-Government and Military Commandancy
OF the state of New Leon:-ln the PtcTyUne OF
the 24th OF July last, and In other periodicals OF
letter invented by the Rdnchero, q daily pub
lished in Brownsville, and which is supposed
10 have been written by General Escobedo and
directed to the undersigned. The bad faith and
barefacedn of that periodical, the RdncherO,
in feigning news contrary to the republic and
luxurious to her most prominent defenders, are
we'll known to you and to all who are ac-
quainted with the events OF my country. Not
WithstRnding now that IL is dared to publish as
being true document written by any OF these
chiefs, but to say clearly that the injury is
manifest, and that such document is false and
fraudulent, its publishers not being able ever
to prove its existence or origin.
Thus. General, the document said TO have
been written TO me by the same General Esco.
bedo, and which commences with these words