: Mr. Seward to the Marquis de Montholon. Washington, March 22, 1866. SIR Referring to your communication of the 23d of November last, and to my reply of the 5th of December, relative to the case of the Senorita, I have the honor to inform you that I have now been made acquainted, by the War Department, with the result of an investigation made by a military commission under its authority, with the circumstances attending the capture by the Mexican General Cortinas in the month of June, 1865, of the Mexican steamer Senorita and her cargo, comprising thirty-five bales of cotton claimed by Messrs. L. Mulor & Co., a French commercial house doing business at Matamoras. It does not appear that any American soldier or citizen was a party to the capture, or that there is any ground for preferring a claim against the United States in respect thereto, except the alleged fact that the bands of Cortinas availed themselves of the disturbed state of the frontier of Texas to outrage our sovereignty by using the shelter of United States territory in making or securing the capture. Where a prize has been made within the jurisdiction of the United States by one belligerent, of the vessel of auother, or when a vessel fitted out within the United States has had the temerity to bring her prize, though taken upon the high seas, within our jurisdiction, you are aware that it has been the practice of our courts of admiralty to decree a restitution upon the claim of the owner. If, therefore, the cotton of Messrs. Mulor & Co. remained in specie within the United States, the remedy of the claimants was and is through an appeal to the courts of admiralty or of common law. If, coming into military possession, it may have been sold and the proceeds brought for custody into the treasury of the United States, the act of Congress, of which you have been informed by a copy of an opinion of the Attorney General heretofore communicated to you, has provided the proper remedy in the Court of Claims. To one of these tribunals it will belong to determine whether the circumstances were such as to bring the case within the rule above referred to. Accept, sir, the renewed assurance of my high consideration. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. The MARQUIS DE MONTHOLON, &c., &c., &c. Mr. Seward to the Marquis de Montholon. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, April 25, 1866. SIR Having submitted to the President the copy of the despatch of Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys of the 5th of April, with which you favored me on the 21st instant, I have now to give you the views of this government thereupon. It is with very great satisfaction that I find that the two governments of the United States and France have come to an agreement in regard to the present military intervention of France in Mexico. This agreement I understand to be of the effect following, viz: The French military forces in Mexico will be withdrawn from that country in three separate detachments; the one to leave in November next, and the two others to leave in March and November, 1867. On our part all the sentiments heretofore expressed concerning the principle of non-intervention are now with cheerfulness reaffirmed. I reciprocate cordially on behalf of the United States the desire and the hope upon which Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys so pleasantly dwells of a cordial renewal of the traditional friendship which constitutes an important element of the life of the American people, and which, while it is full of promise to the progress of civilization, is at the same time so highly honorable to the intelligence and love of freedom of both nations. I am well aware that so large an army as that which the French Emperor now has in Mexico could not be conveniently withdrawn in a day, or in a few days, or all at once. I can also apprehend, as I think, that it might not be altogether expedient for the French government to designate in advance the proportions which may be expected to be given to the several detachments respectively on their embarcation. On the other hand, I think it due to the frankness and sincerity which is required by the occasion to suggest that the continuance of the intervention during the period limited will necessarily be regarded with concern and apprehension by the masses of our people, and perhaps by Congress. Under these circumstances our army of observation must also be continued in some proportion on the southern bank of the Rio Grande. This situation will be not altogether conformable with our national sentiments and habits. Moreover, no one can certainly reckon upon the exercise of so much prudence on the part of commanders and forces confronting each other across a boundary, as to remove all fear of unpremeditated disturbances and collisions. Therefore, the more promptly the intervention shall be brought to an end, the sooner and the more complete will be the return of the cordial good feelings which both governments so earnestly desire. It seems to me not improbable that France, having determined upon the complete withdrawal of her forces from Mexico within the term of seventeen months, may hereafter find it convenient and consistent with her interest and honor even to abridge that term. Should this expectation be realized, it is not doubted that the Emperor will be as highly gratified as the United States with the new situation. Accept, sir, a renewed assurance of my highest consideration. The MARQUIS DE MONTHOLON, &c., &c., &c. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Mr. Seward to the Marquis de Montholon. DEPARTMENT of State, Washington, June 7, 1866. SIR: I have the honor to enclose for your information a copy of a communication of the 30th ultimo, from the War Department, in regard to the case of the French merchant vessel Le Verrier, which formed the subject of your note of the 30th of September, 1865. Accept, sir, a renewed assurance of my high consideration. The MARQUIS DE MONTHOLON, &c., &c., &c. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Mr. Eckert to Mr. Seward. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, May 30, 1866. SIR: I am directed by the Secretary of War to transmit herewith a copy of an additional report from Major General Sheridan, relative to the case of the French merchant vessel Le Verrier, with reference to which a copy of a former report made by him in pursuance of an investigation, requested at the instance of the French minister in your communication of October 4, 1865, was forwarded to you from the War Department, on the 1st of February last. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, THOMAS T. ECKERT, Acting Assistant Secretary of War. Secretary of State. HEADQUARTERS MILITARY Division of the GULF, New Orleans, La., February 10, 1866. Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant General of the army, in connection with report of military commission appointed to investigate the case, forwarded from these headquarters January 15, 1866. In the absence of the major general commanding, and by his order: GEORGE L. HARTSUFF, Brevet Colonel and Assistant Adjutant General. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS, Respectfully forwarded to headquarters military division of the gulf, for consideration, in connection with previous papers relative to the same matter. In absence of the major general commanding. Respectfully forwarded. E. H. WHITTLESEY, Brevet Colonel and Assistant Adjutant General. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT RIO GRANDE, G. WEITZEL, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION TWENTY-FIFTH ARMY CORPS, SIR: In answer to a communication addressed to Colonel Barrett, sixty-second United States colored troops, commanding at Ringgold barracks, in reference to the alleged pillage of the French merchant vessel Le Verrier, I have received the enclosed affidavit of Captain Looby, of his regiment, which I have the honor to forward as supplementary evidence in that case. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Colonel D. D. WHEELER, A. A. General. GILES A. SMITH, Major General Commanding. RINGGOLD BARRACKS, TEXAS, GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following facts in reference to the French bark Le Verrier, which was wrecked on the coast of Texas on or about the 4th of February, 1865. On the morning of the 28th of January, 1865, I was ordered by Major J. K. Hackon, commanding the sixty-second regiment United States colored infantry, then stationed at Brazos Santiago, to proceed across Boca Chica Pass on to the mainland, in command of a detachment of the sixty-second United States colored infantry, consisting of forty (40) enlisted men, accompanied by two (2) six-mule teams, for the purpose of gathering firewood for the regiment. On the morning of February 4, 1865, I started down the beach towards the mouth of the Rio Grande. The morning was quite foggy, so that I could not see far ahead. After I had marched some two and a half miles the fog cleared away, and I saw a large crowd, perhaps half a mile ahead; also a vessel with all sails set, a short distance from the shore. I approached cautiously, not knowing but that they were rebels, but as soon as they discov ered my approach the greater portion of them commenced moving in the direction of Clarks ville. When I arrived opposite the vessel, I found the captain and crew lying in front of a fire on the beach, all of whom were in a beastly state of intoxication, except the captain and one or two of the sailors. They were all French. The captain, alone, could speak English, and he but very little ; sufficient, however, to enable me to understand him. I asked him how he came on the shore with his vessel, to which he replied, "that the bark was anchored at the mouth of the Rio Grande, taking on a cargo of cotton; and that during a heavy gale last night the ship slipped her cable and was blown ashore, notwithstanding we did everything in our power to keep her off. As soon as she struck, we got into those two small boats, (pointing to them,) and succeeded in getting ashore." He informed me that there were four pirates aboard of his ship, taking his valuables, and requested me to order or get them off the best way I could. I asked him if he knew who they were, or where they came from. He informed me that they came from Bagdad, Mexico; he thought they came in a small boat from the direction of Bagdad, and said that there were a great many bad men there. I ordered them off from the ship repeatedly, but they paid no attention to me whatever. I deployed my men as skirmishers along the shore, with instructions to fire on the men when they got into their boat, if they attempted to go to sea. I then gave the command "ready." When the men on board the ship saw this, they got into their boat and started towards shore; in a moment afterwards they turned their boat and commenced rowing out to sea. I ordered my men to fire. After some forty shots the firing ceased, as they had got out of reach. I was told the following day that the men belonged to Bagdad, Mexico, and that one of them was shot through the leg; also, that they had sworn that if they ever found me in Bagdad they would kill me. This I learned from a man from Bagdad, who was going to Brazos Santiago. The captain seemed to be very angry because they had got away, and seemed to think that I ought to have captured them. The vessel was about 150 yards from shore, and the waves were washing over her. I placed a guard over the vessel, and sent a messenger to notify Colonel Jones, thirtyfourth regiment Indiana veteran volunteers, then commanding the forces at Brazos Santiago, and asking him for instructions. The messenger returned during the day with orders from Colonel Jones to keep a guard over her until I heard from him again. The captain sent four of the sailors (two of whom were those referred to as being sober) in one of the small boats to get some provisions from the vessel; also to bring off his papers, chronometer, &c., but the other two being so drunk the boat could not be well managed, and the consequence was it capsized and the latter were drowned, while the former, being sober, swam ashore. The morning of the 5th of February, 1865, two gentlemen came to me and represented themselves as the owners of the bark and cargo. They informed me that they resided in Matamoras, Mexico, and expressed a desire to take possession of the vessel. I referred the gentlemen to Colonel Jones, but they insisted on my turning the ship over to them, and asked me if I could not be induced to do so, and offered to pay me, but I informed them that I could not receive any pay, and told them it was useless to talk further about the matter, and they must, therefore, go and see Colonel Jones. One of these men, I was reliably informed afterwards, was the wreck-master of Bagdad, Mexico. Went to Brazos that day, and I received orders from Colonel Jones to relieve my guard. What arrangement was made in reference to the vessel, I am unable to say. I regret exceedingly to say that the order I received was but verbal, brought to me by a messenger from 'Colonel Jones. On the morning of the 5th, the captain and crew went to Bagdad, Mexico, and the boat that was left was taken around into the Rio Grande. I was informed by an old ferryman at Clarksville that it belonged to the "French bark which was wrecked on the beach below there," referring to the same vessel which I had in my charge. I saw no more of the captain and crew after they went to Bagdad. As soon as the boats were taken away there was no chance for any person to go on board the ship; and as I was with my party at all times, I am sure that none of them went on the ship, and indeed I do not think that they could be induced to have gone on board of her, even if there had been a boat there. On the 7th, I recrossed and returned to camp. Some of The vessel lay where she struck until she was broken to pieces by the waves. the cotton was found on the beach along the island, but I understood that the greater portion of the cargo washed ashore near the mouth of the Rio Grande, and was taken into Mexico. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Major General GILES A. SMITH, JOHN H. LOOBY, Captain Sixty-second U. S. Colored Infantry. Com'dg First Division Twenty-fifth Army Corps, Brownsville, Texas. Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 8th day of January, 1866. T. C. BARDEN Captain One Hundred and Seventeenth U. S. C. T., Judge Advocate. Mr. Seward to the Marquis de Montholon. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 16, 1866. SIR: I have the honor to call your attention to two orders or decrees which purport to have been made on the 26th of July last, by Prince Maximilian, who claims to be emperor in Mexico, in which he declares that he has committed the direction of the department of war in that country to General Osmont, chief of the staff of the French expeditionary corps; and that he has committed the direction of the department of the treasury to Mr. Friaut, intendant-in-chief of the same corps. The President thinks it proper that the Emperor of France should be informed that the assumption of administrative functions at this time by the aforenamed officers of the French expeditionary corps under the authority of the Prince Maximilian is not unlikely to be injurious to good relations between the United States and France, because it is liable to be regarded by the Congress and people of the United States as indicating a course of proceeding on the part of France incongruous with the engagement which has been made for the withdrawal of the French expeditionary corps from that country. Accept, sir, a renewed assurance of my high consideration. MARQUIS DE MONTHOLON, &c., &c., &c. [Translation.] MAXIMILIAN, Emperor oF MEXICO. In consideration of the merits, combined with the qualifications, of General Osmont, chief of the staff of the expeditionary corps, we have thought proper to commit to him the direc tion of the department of war. Given at Mexico the 26th July, 1866. By the Emperor: JOSÉ SALAZAR YLARREQUI, Minister of the Interior. MAXIMILIAN. MAXIMILIAN, EMPEROR OF MEXICO. In consideration of the merits, combined with the qualifications, of Mr. Friaut, intendantin-chief of the expeditionary corps, we have thought proper to commit to him the direction of the department of the treasury. Given at Mexico the 26th July, 1866. MAXIMILIAN. The Marquis de Montholon to Mr. Seward. [Translation.] LEGATION OF FRANCE TO THE UNITED STATES, Washington, September 28, 1866. SIR: The principal maritime powers have for a long time been engaged in the thought of establishing a system of international signals which could be universally applied to all navies in the world. In 1864 the governments of France and of Great Britain resolved to agree, in the general interest of commerce and navigation, to examine in common the different codes of signals existing at that time, and to determine which among them should appear to include the elements of a system the most advantageous, and most proper to be employed as the universal maritime language for the use of vessels of all nations. A commission composed of delegates of the two countries has been intrusted with this case. The code which it thought proper to adopt |