The Marquis de Montholon has now shown me a despatch of Mr. Moustier of the 15th of October last, and explained the reason for not giving me a copy of the same when received. You may look for a despatch from me to-morrow, which I hope may favorably affect the question presented in my late telegraphic despatch. I am, sir, your obedient servant, JOHN BIGELOW, Esq., &c., &c., §x. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Seward. LEGATION DES ETATS UNIS, I MY DEAR SIR: Your telegram, dated 23d November, from Washington, was received on the 26th and 27th instant. I immediately addressed a communication to the minister of foreign affairs, who is at Compeïgne, and last evening received a note acknowledging it and saying that he reserved his reply. After a brief interview with Mr. Rouher, minister of state, this morning, at his request, sent another note to the minister of foreign affairs, requesting, in view of the urgency of the matter, an explanation of the Emperor's motives for deferring the partial evacuation of Mexico, and a statement of his plan and preparations for the execution of the stipulation of Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys, in advance of his more deliberate reply to my first communication. I hope to have that to-morrow. The government as yet has no news from Casteluau, which will be due to-night or to-morrow; neither does it know what has become of Maximilian. The papers to-day announce the occupation of Matamoras by the federals. Mr. Rouher assures me that the vessels are all ready and waiting a despatch from Castelnau to start for Vera Cruz, and they expect to have their whole force here by March at the latest. The minister of marine says they must leave here within fifteen days on account of the fever. SIR: I have the honor to enclose a copy of a despatch, which I have this day transmitted to you in cipher by the Atlantic telegraph. I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. JOHN BIGELOW. [Deposited at the Central telegraph office at 2.30 p. m., December 3, 1866.] Secretary of State, Washington, United States : In reply to a verbal communication the minister of foreign affairs writes me to-day: "The resolutions of the French government are not changed, but from military considera tions it has thought it ought to substitute a collective repatriation to one by divisions, and our corps of occupation is to embark in the month of March next. "I add that the French government is disposed to have an understanding with the United States in view of possible events in Mexico." PARIS, December 3, 1866. JOHN BIGELOW. CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE FRENCH LEGATION. The Marquis de Montholon to Mr. Seward. [Translation.] LEGATION OF FRANCE TO THE UNITED STATES, Washington, September 30, 1865. Mr. SECRETARY OF STATE: I have the honor to transmit herewith to your excellency copy of a report addressed to the vice-consul of his Majesty at Matamoras, by Captain G. Gautret, of the French merchant ship Le Verrier, shipwrecked on the 4th of February last in front of Bagdad, as also several papers annexed thereto, and which have relation to the pillage of that vessel by federal soldiers. As you will see, Mr. Secretary of State, by the examination of these documents, Colonel Jones, who commanded the troops of the United States at Brazos Santiago, near the point where the shipwreck took place, had formally authorized Captain Gautret to proceed with saving effects from his vessel. In despite, nevertheless, of this permission, and of the orders which they must have had from their commanders, the federal soldiers had not feared to make attempts on the property and even the life of our countrymen. When the captain and crew of the Le Verrier, who at first had taken refuge on the shore, sought to return on board their ship to attempt to save the cargo, a hail-storm of bullets assailed the boats before they had time to effect any unloading. At the later time, when the sailors of the wrecked vessel attempted to collect the flotsam which the sea cast upon the shore, the federal soldiers, revolver in hand, would come down and take from them by actual force the merchandise they had been able to save, and our unfortunate countrymen were thus despoiled of all they possessed, and even Faw carried away the tent which they had borrowed from a merchant of Bagdad for the purpose of sheltering themselves. His excellency the minister for foreign affairs charges me to call the most serious attention of your excellency to these deplorable facts, and to press upon you that the perpetrators of acts so contrary to the feelings of human nature and to the law of nations should be actively sought for and severely punished. Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys adds to the note which he has written to me on this subject, that there is every reason to think that the cabinet at Washington will show itself the 'more ready to receive and notice this claim, in that the colonel, Jones, has himself taken the initiative in an examination of the facts above stated. In consequence, I would be obliged to your excellency to have the goodness to let me know as soon as may be the sequel which shall be given to this regrettable business. Accept, Mr. Secretary of State, the assurance of my consideration. Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, &c., &c., &c. 24 D C MONTHOLON. Report from Captain G. Gautret. [Translation.] On the 4th February, 1865, in accordance with the deliberate opinion of the crew-and not being able to remain on board, so much was the vessel overflowed by the sea—the boats being alongside, I had some instruments put into them; then we left the ship, the national flag being hoisted on the gaff. Reaching the shore, we encamped abreast of the ship, waiting for daylight. The 4th February, in the morning, I went to make my deposition to the captain of the port of Bagdad, leaving the crew to watch that nothing of what we had saved should be touched. On my return, about two hours afterwards, I found federal troops installed near our encampment. They were numerous. I perceived that valuable instruments had been taken away. Although the sea was heavy, we tried to go on board, as well as another boat from the shore, to try to save what it would be possible to do. We were scarcely alongside when a bail-storm of bullets assailed the boats and forced them to abandon the ship, before they had time to save the least thing. On returning to land we occupied ourselves with gathering the wreck effects and what the sea cast ashore. The federal soldiers, who were watching us, took from us everything, as fast and as soon as they could, notwithstanding the order I had received from Colonel Jones to work at the saving of the vessel and cargo. We tried a second time to go on board, but the sea was so high that the boat capsized, and one of the crew disappeared. The rest of the day and night we were guarded by a squad of federal troops. The next day, 5th February, we made several excursions along shore; the sea was very heavy; we could not get on board. We found some pieces of spars, effects, and articles in the water; we hauled them on the shore, the whole being too heavy to be carried in our arms to the place of our encampment. The weather becoming colder, they sent to us from Bagdad a tarpaulin to set up a tent to put us under shelter, as well as the things saved, which we had been able to keep out of the hands of the federals. The 6th day was not more fortunate; the north wind made the sea very heavy. At night the federals appeared in the greatest number, forced us, revolver in hand, to abandon our encampment, and proceeded to escort us to the shore, almost, of the river Rio Grande; took off during the night our encampment sail-cloth, effects, &c.-in a word, everything we had saved of flotsam. We crossed the river and came to Bagdad, renouncing the hope of saving anything. On the night of the 7th the vessel parted in two. The next day the sea was a little less heavy-would have permitted the saving of the masts and sails-but the federals were drawn up in echellons along the shore; as soon as persons went in the direction of the vessel they took aim at them. It would be impossible to state exactly what the federal soldiers and officers took from me; within our knowledge, there was part of the spars and sails; chronometer, quadrant; two trunks full of effects belonging to the captain, stolen by a federal officer, (with threats;) a sextant; a trunk with effects of the chief mate; the effects of the crew, with all the bedding on board; articles belonging to the ship-a boat, three whole pieces of sail-cloth, six water-casks; all the spare spars, consisting of two mizzen-masts, three top masts; some steering-sail yards; a compass; a tarpaulin of Mr. Cowpers, a merchant of Bagdad. In testimony whereof I have drawn up this present report, in order to make known in what manner we have been treated by the federal troops at Brazos. The present is signed by the crew and eye-witnesses. The captain, G. Gautret: first mate, G. Pradel; crew, Cassel, Gauffery, Pihour, Sorevbier. The cook, not knowing how to write, makes his cross. Eye-witnesses-Havard, captain of the Gironde; C. Heevult, captain of the Leontine; Berniard, captain of the Turenne; F. Ferranti, of Bagdad. Certified true copy: J. J. BRUGIER, Vice-Consul of France. Mr. Seward to the Marquis de Montholon. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 26, 1866. SIR Referring to your communication of the 30th of September last, in regard to the alleged improper pillage of the wreck of the French merchant ship Le Verrier by United States troops stationed near Bagdad, on the Rio Grande, I have the honor now to enclose for your information a copy of a letter of the 1st instant, and its accompaniments, from the War Department, from which it appears that the schooner in question was protected by United States soldiers, and that the vessel must have been plundered by parties of insurgents who at that time were encamped in the vicinity of the wreck. Accept, sir, a renewed assurance of my high consideration. The MARQUIS DE MONTHOLON, Sr., &c., &c. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Mr. Eckert to Mr. Seward. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, February 1, 1866. SIR: I am directed by the Secretary of War to transmit herewith a copy of the report submitted by Major General P. H. Sheridan, commanding the military division of the gulf, in pursuance of the investigation respecting the alleged pillage of the French merchant vessel Le Verrier, requested in your communication of October 4, 1865, enclosing a translation of a note from the Marquis de Montholon upon the subject. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, THOS. T. ECKERT, Secretary of State. Proceedings of a military commission, convened in obedience to the following orders: [Special Order No. 16.-Extract.] HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE RIO GRANDE, * 4. A military commission is hereby constituted to assemble on Monday the 27th day of November, at 11 o'clock a. m., at the headquarters first division 25th army corps, and thereafter at the call of the president of the commission, at such time and place as he shall direct, to investigate and report upon the alleged pillage of the shipwrecked French merchant vessel Le Verrier, in front of Bagdad, Mexico, on the 4th day of February last, and the firing upon her crew by soldiers of the United States stationed at Brazos Santiago. The commission will use every exertion to make a thorough investigation, and forward their proceedings to these headquarters as early as practicable. Detail for the commission: Brevet Major General Giles A. Smith, commanding first division 25th army corps; Colonel Thomas Bayley, 9th United States colored troops; Lieutenant Colonel R. G. Morrison, 34th Indiana veteran volunteers; Second Lieutenant A. H. Adams, 35th Wisconsin infantry volunteers. By command of Major General Weitzel: D. D. WHEELER, Assistant Adjutant General. BROWNSVILLE, Texas, Monday, November 27, 1865–11 a m. The commission met pursuant to the above order. Present, Brevet Major General Giles A. Smith, commanding first division 25th army corps; Colonel Thomas Bayley, 9th United States colored troops; Lieutenant Colonel R. G. Morrison, 34th Indiana veteran volunteers; Second Lieutenant A. H. Adams, 35th Wisconsin infantry volunteers. The commission was then duly sworn by the recorder, and the recorder by the president of the commission. After the reading by the recorder of a communication from the honorable William H. Seward, Secretary of State, to the honorable E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War, as also the translation of a report from Captain G. Gautret, of the Le Verrier, and all the papers in relation thereto, the commission adjourned to meet at 10 a. m., November 28, 1865. NOVEMBER 28, 1865-10 a. m. The commission met parsuant to adjournment. Present, all the members. The proceed- Answer. S. C. Montgomery, Captain 34th Indiana veteran volunteer infantry. Question by the recorder. Where were you on the 4th day of February last? Question by the recorder. Do you know anything of the wreck of the French merchant vessel Le Verrier, on the beach near the mouth of the Rio Grande river? and if so, state what the particulars were, as far as you know. Answer. On or about the 4th day of February last, there was a vessel wrecked on our beach, about two miles from my camp, on the American side of the Rio Grande. I frequently passed up the beach near to where this vessel was wrecked, and twice saw boats at the wreck; once while passing on the beach, and once while passing in a skiff. As I approached, the boats that were at the wreck went away toward the fleet of merchant vessels and men-ofwar lying off the mouth of the Rio Grande. The wreck was lying on the beach for some ten or fifteen days, and from my quarters I could see, with a glass, boats there at various times, but do not know where these boats went to. Question by the president. Do you know of the officers or crew of this wrecked vessel coming on shore? Answer. I do not. Question by the president. Do you know of any shots being fired by any United States soldiers toward the wrecked vessel, or any of the boats going to or from it? Answer. I do not. Question by commission. Do you know of any property being brought on shore from the wreck, by anybody? Answer. I know of a small piece of sail being taken off a spar that had washed ashore, by soldiers, and used by them for a tent. Question by the recorder. What orders had you given your men at this time? Answer. The Boca Chica was between my camp and the wreck, and I had given the men positive orders not to cross the same, unless on duty as escort for the water train or Texan refugees. Question by the recorder. Was this piece of sail cloth demanded by any person belonging to the wreck? Answer. It was not; though I gave orders to have it kept whole, as it might be required to be turned over at any time. Question by the recorder. Did you see any other soldiers than those belonging to your command in that vicinity; and if so, who were they, and to what command did they belong? Answer. They were details from the 87th and 62d United States colored troops, and the 34th Indiana veteran volunteers, who were sent over to gather wood. Question by commission. Did you receive any orders at any time from Colonel Jones, commanding at Brazos Santiago, in regard to this wreck? Answer. I received orders from Colonel Jones some days after the vessel was wrecked, to gather up what cotton came ashore on our beach, and to bring it across the Boca Chica, from there to be taken to Brazos, to be properly disposed of. Question by the recorder. How much cotton did you gather up under these orders? Answer. Seventeen bales; yet five of these bales were washed away the same night by a "norther," and were lost; the remaining twelve bales were taken to Brazos. Question by commission. Was there any other property taken or collected by you, otherwise than the cotton bales, from the wreck or along shore? Auswer. There was not. Question by commission. Was there any cotton or other property taken by other parties to any other place from the wreck; and if so, to what place? Answer. I did not see any being taken, but saw where property had been loaded on wagons, and taken toward Bagdad. Question by commission. Could you judge whether the boats passing to and fro, from the fleet, were loaded and if so, with what? : Answer. I could not tell whether the boats took anything away, but I saw the men from these boats at work on the wreck. The testimony read to witness, and found to be correct. First Lieutenant J. B. RUSH, adjutant 31th Indiana veteran volunteers, a witness, was duly sworn: Question by the recorder. What is your name, rank, and regiment ? Answer. J. B. Rush, first lieutenant and adjutant 34th Indiana veteran volunteer infantry. Question by the recorder. At what place were you, and what position did you occupy, on or about the 4th of February last? Answer. I was at Brazos Santiago, Texas, and was acting assistant adjutant general for Colonel Jones, commanding post. Question by the recorder. Do you know anything of a French merchant vessel, the Le Verrier, wrecked on our coast near Bagdad, at the time? Answer. I knew of a French vessel being wrecked at that time, between Boca Chica and Bagdad, on the American side of the Rio Grande. Question by the recorder. Will you please state, to the best of your ability, all the particulars you know concerning that wreck? |