ago a detachment, under command of Marquez, marched for Vera Cruz, to bring up General Douai with his troops, about eleven hundred, but learning that Llave was waiting to oppose him with three thousand men at a mountain pass, he returned, leaving Douai at Vera Cruz, losing from ten to fifteen men every day, who fall victims to the vomito. It is said by well-informed persons here that no more troops are to be seat from France. If this be so, then it is certain the French army will not be ac to sustain itself in this country. Almonte himself is not only not popular, but odious to the people of Mexico, and the idea of a foreign potentate is rejected by a vast majority of all parties. It is the confident opinion of well-informe persons here, that the Emperor of the French has been misinformed and greatly deceived as to the true state of public opinion in Mexico. I have heard of acquisition to the standard of Almonte, borne by the French army, except the bloodthirsty guerillas under Marquez. The English government has settled all matters in dispute with Mexico by a treaty, to which I have referred in a former despatch; and Spain has withdrawn its entire force, intending, no doch: to treat, after the example of Great Britain. I have only to repeat my conviction, that it is the obvious interest of the United States, as well as its duty, to ratify at once the treaty with Mexico, ra fied here on the 6th of April last. I have in a former despatch given reasons fully for this opinion, and forbear to repeat them here. The circular addressed by you to the European courts touching their m ments here, while it cannot be objected to anywhere, is received here with the liveliest satisfaction. This government expects the best results from it. Your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, THOS. CORWIN. Secretary of State of the United States, Washington, D. C. Mr. Corwin to Mr. Seward. No. 28.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Mexico, June 28, 1869. SIR: Nothing has occurred since my last despatches to change in any portant particular the aspect of affairs in Mexico. The French still oc their place at Orizaba. The guerillas cut off their communications from Va Cruz as far as Puebla. I enclose copies of a correspondence between the captain of a rebel regina on the frontier of Texas and the Mexican authorities. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, THOS. CORWIN. Secretary of State of the United States, Washington, D. C. [Translation.] NATIONAL PALACE, Mexico, June 2, 1862 SIR: By the annexed copies which I have the honor to transfer to the s of your excellency you will be made acquainted with the complaints whi principal authority of the State of Tamaulipas has received from the commander of the sub-district of Rio Grande, on account of the course pursued at Matamoras by the consul of the United States of America in committing hostilities thence on the authorities of the southern States; and, in order to prevent complications that may cause serious damage to Mexico, I doubt not that your excellency will hasten to address positive orders to said consul to the end that he may not compromit the neutrality which Mexico has to observe in the contest unfortunately existing in the United States of America. I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your excellency the assurances of my very distinguished consideration. Mr. THOMAS CORWIN, MANUEL DOBLADO. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America. No. 21. [Translation.] Military commander, chief post of Tamaulipus, makes report in regord to complaints of the authorities of Texas on account of the course of the consul of the United States at Matamoras. The CITIZEN MINISTER: Under date of the 12th instant I stated to the military commander of the line at Matamoras what follows: "The commander of the military sub-district of Rio Grande has addressed this commandancy, representing that he knows beyond doubt that the consul of the United States at that place protects American citizens who are enemies of the government of the confederated States of the south in North America, and this with the consent of your command. This is contrary to the neutrality which the Mexican government has proposed to itself to observe in the differences that exist between the two bodies of people of the neighboring republic. And even if the authorities of the south were not setting us an example in not allowing enemies of Mexico to abide in their territory, any act on the part of the Mexican authorities not in strict consonance with that purpose justly deserves to be regarded as offensive and as subversive of the friendly relations which they cherish with us. commandancy in my charge, not wishing in any way to expose the nation to new complaints, and, on the other hand, seeing how justly the commander of Texas complains, has replied to that officer that it will apply the due remedy for such an abuse; and therefore I warn you to abstain from protecting, and to prevent their being protected, in that place and other towns included in your command, the enemies of the government of said States, and to watch most particularly the consul of the United States, until the supreme government of the republic, which has been notified of this matter, shall determine what is proper respecting it. I trust that your commandancy, impressed with the great evils which might result to this frontier, and even to the whole nation, from not observing strictly the neutrality which is due in the contentions of the neighboring States, will take the greatest care and be most zealous in complying with my instructions, giving timely notice of what may happen in this respect; and, in case the American consul should continue to protect in any way the party opposed to the government of the Confederate States, that it will notify him to refrain therefrom or else to leave the Mexican territory, the authorities of which must not permit the neutrality to be violated by anybody." And I transcribe the same for you, annexing a copy of the note which said commander of the sub-district of Rio Grande sent to this commandancy, and which gave rise to my communication herein inserted, the contents of which you will be pleased to report to the citizen president, and I hope it may meet with his superior approval; and you will also tell me what is to be done in this delicate matter, which, owing to its nature and the character of the persons who are parties to it, may be of grave importance to the republic, it being exclusively for the general government to determine what is proper. I reiterate to you on this occasion the assurances of my high consideration and esteem. God and liberty! Monterey, May 18, 1862. SANTIAGO VIDAURRI. The CITIZEN MINISTER of Foreign Relations and of the Interior, Mexico. [Translation.] SECRETARY'S OFFICE OF THE MILITARY COMMANDANCY, CHIEF post of TA MAULIPAS. HEADQUARTERS MILITARY Sub-district of Rio Grande, San Antonio, Texas, April 17, 1862. Since writing to you yesterday I have been officially informed that the sol diers are deserting from our forces on this side of the Rio Grande, and that, taking refuge in Matamoras, they are subsisted by the consul of the United States, with the knowledge of the military commander of Matamoras, and tha there are many Americans, some of them armed, assembled in that place who are declared enemies of the Confederate States, who are doing everything which is possible to poison the minds of the officers and citizens against us, and to stimulate them to commit bad acts against our country and its citizens. It is a positive fact that the consul of the United States at Matamoras has been constantly inducing our soldiers to desert, and that he has been doing everything which was possible to render our officers uneasy, and thus disturbing the good relations which exist between the two countries. I did not wish to take notice of this so long as I had not precise information; but I have obtained that, and in such abundance that they will have to be watched by the officers of your government, if they have a disposition to do so. And I must call your attention to this act, and ask you to prevent this infraction of the laws of neutrality by persons who are residing in Matamoras or on the left bank of the Rio Grande; and you will permit me to assure you that I have the greatest confidence in your intentions to keep up with us relations of friendship, and that you will take this affair into consideration. I again assure you of my high consideration, and of the warmest wishes of my country and of myself to cultivate more closely relations with you, your government, and your people. I have the honor to subscribe myself your excellency's most obedient servant, H. E. McCULLOCH, Colonel of 1st Reg't T. M. R., C. S. of A General Don SANTIAGO VIDAURri, LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMErica, SIR: The undersigned has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency's note of the 2d instant, covering a correspondence between one of the officers of a rebel regiment in arms against the United States and General Vidaurri. The undersigned will transmit to the consul at Matamoras proper instructions as to his duty in any case affecting the relations between Mexico' and the United States which may arise out of the present disturbed condition of our frontier adjoining the Mexican territory. The undersigned will transmit to your excellency a copy of his instructions to the American consul at Matamoras, and will lose no time in forwarding to the State Department at Washington copies of your excellency's note of the 2d instant. The undersigned renews to your excellency the assurance of his distinguished consideration. THOMAS CORWIN. No. 51.] Mr. Seward to Mr. Corwin. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, July 14, 1862. Your despatch of June 3d has been submitted to the President. Contrary to what was expected with much confidence, the army under General McClellan has for the moment failed in its advance against Richmond. He has, however, by a masterly generalship, changed his position for a more advantageous one on the bank of the James river, where he has the co-operation of a naval force. We are rapidly bringing into the field additional land forces and augmenting the navy with iron and iron-clad steamers. The general military situation remains unchanged. Our intelligence from abroad has been quite satisfactory during the last month. It is to be expected, however, that the check at Richmond will produce some new demonstrations of opposition and hostility on the part of interested or prejudiced classes abroad. Nevertheless, we do not apprehend any new complications, although the maritime nations with which we have held communications the most intimate for a long period are suffering scarcely less than ourselves in consequence of our civil war. My previous communications will have prepared you for the announcement that the treaties which you recently negotiated have been laid upon the table in the Senate, and that Congress is about to adjourn. We learn from London that the British government has not approved the treaty negotiated by Sir Charles Wyke. There seems to be good reason for believing that the invasion of Mexico is becoming unpopular in France, and that the French government may probably desist from it or materially modify its plans and purposes in regard to the enterprise. It is very certain that the idea of preparing a throne in Mexico for an Austrian prince, if ever entertained, was long since discarded. It is probable that what has been most recently intended was a preparation of the ground for a recognition of the government under General Almonte, but without guarantees for its maintenance and stability. You can judge better than we how far that project is likely to be made successful. I am, sir, your obedient servant, THOMAS CORWIN, Esq., &c., &c., &c. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Mr. Corwin to Mr. Seward.. No. 30. LEGATION OF the United STATES OF AMERICA, SIR: When my despatch of the 28th of June was copied and presented to me, I was so very ill that I could not sign it. I asked Mr. Arnoux, my copying clerk, to sign my name for me, which he did. I herewith enclose a duplicate signed by myself. Since the date of that despatch, the general condition of affairs here has not materially changed. The present cabinet remains in power, and, so far as I can see, with the approbation of all the States and a large majority of all the people. The French troops are encamped in Cordoba and Orizaba. They are said to be in great want of supplies of every kind. Their ammunition and provisions sent from Vera Cruz are usually cut off by the troops of the government. I heard yesterday that a large force had left Orizaba for the coast, to escort provisions to the camps at Cordoba and Orizaba. Meantime the governor of Vera Cruz, (appointed by Almonte,) two weeks ago, called the merchants together and demanded that they should buy the bills of M. de Saligny, drawn on his private banker at Paris, to the amount of fifty thousand dollars, which they declined, whereupon the governor threatened forced loans, and thus, so far as I can learn, the matter rests at present. A French fleet protects the power of Almonte in Vera Cruz, without which neither he (Almonte) nor any of his adherents could hold the place for half a day. All commerce is at a stand there. Goods intended for this place, and others in the interior, fill all the warehouses; but nothing can be brought safely twenty miles out of the place. This has been the situation of things since last November. It is the general belief that the steamer which will arrive at Vera Cruz on the 26th instant will bring orders from the Emperor of the French to cease hostilities, and leave Almonte and his few associates to their fate. Your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, THOS. CORWIN. Secretary of State of the United States, Washington, D. C. Mr. Corwin to Mr. Seward. No. 31.] LEGATION OF THE United States of AMERICA, SIR: I forwarded by a recent despatch a correspondence between Colonel or General James Reiley, an officer in the Texan rebel army, and the governor of Sonora, in which the rebel officer was evidently anxious to bring about a rupture between the confederate forces and the weak States of Mexico. Since then, I learn from newspaper reports that a demand has been made by the same officer for the right of marching troops across the Mexican territory to Guaymas. I have endeavored to impress the government here with the arguments against this proposition. As this government does not acknowledge the nationality of the flag borne by these troops, they are under no obligations which can be regarded as rational to treat with them in any way whatever. It is probable the idea of getting permission to enter Mexican territory peacefully is based upon the hope of uniting with Mexican malcontents in an effort to separate the northern Mexican States from this republic, and thus realize the project of the Knights of the Golden Circle, which is or was to conquer Mexico, and establish a gov |