Mr. Seward to Mr. Romero
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 13th of December, in which you allude to a late proceeding of General Sedgwick, in taking possession of Matamoros and holding it for a few hours. I have to inform you in reply, that the proceeding of General Sedgwick was not only without authority from this government, but is understood by this department to have been in violation of the orders of his military superiors; that as soon as it came to their knowledge the proceeding was disallowed and countermanded, and that General Sedgwick was thereupon suspended from command and subjected to discipline. I am unable to write with precision upon the subject for want of full information; but I think there is sufficient ground for believing that General Sedgwick’s error was committed under pressing importunities from persons residing in Matamoras, amenable to the government of Mexico, and that his indiscreet proceeding was regarded by him as favorable to that government, instead of being injurious to it, or likely to give offence.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you my assurances of the highest consideration.
Senor Don Matias Romero, &c., &c., &c.