Mr. Seward to Mr.
Dayton
No. 669.]
Department of State,
Washington,
October 3, 1864.
Sir: I transmit for your information a copy of
a private note of the 23d ultimo from M. de Geofroy, of my reply of the
30th ultimo,*
and of a letter addressed by me to Major General Canby on the 30th
ultimo, in regard to the alleged entrance of the Mexican General
Cortinas, with an armed force, into the territory of the United States,
with an assumption of military authority.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
William L. Dayton, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Seward to Major General Canby
Department of State,
Washington,
September 30, 1864.
Sir: Unofficial newspaper statements
concerning the alleged entrance of the Mexican General Cortinas,
with an armed force, into the territory of Texas, within the United
States, with an assumption of military authority, have attracted the
attention of this department, as well as that of the minister of
France at this capital. The reports are contradictory and apparently
unreliable. The dignity of this government and its honor, as a
neutral power in the conflict which is raging in Mexico, render it
necessary that the President should be fully informed as early as
possible of the proceedings to which I have thus referred. I have
therefore to request that you will ascertain the facts and make a
report thereon to the Secretary of War. In the mean time I have the
pleasure to inform you that the proceeding is approved, by which, on
the occasion referred to, you gave notice to the said Cortinas that
his presence in arms within the United States, in an attitude of war
against a friendly power, with which the United States are at peace,
would not be tolerated. Although that proceeding indicates that you
have faithfully adhered to the instructions given to your
predecessors, yet, I think it proper to renew the injunction that on
no account, and in no way, must the neutrality of the United States
in the war between France and Mexico be compromised by our military
forces, or be suffered to be compromitted within your command by
either of the belligerents.
I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant,
Major General E. R. S. Canby,
Commanding Department of the Gulf,
Headquarters, New Orleans.
