Mr. Geofroy to Mr. Seward
Dear Sir: I have no other information in relation to that which has just occurred at Brownsville than what is contained in the paper. Whatever the causes which have led to it, it would seem, if, we are to believe them, that the Mexican chief, Cortinas, has entered the territory of the United States with a corps of troops, to which, it is said, he has even given, of his own authority, the flag of the Union. This last act shows a boldness for which he, no doubt, will have to account to the federal government. That which interests me is that he be disarmed, and does never leave the American territory to make some incursion with his men on the right bank of the Bio Grande. I am sure, in advance, that upon the first intelligence of this affair you will have sent to Texas the strictest orders, in order that the duties which vicinage and neutrality require be strictly observed by the officers of the federal forces in that part of the country; and I have no need of insisting upon the grave responsibility which the latter might entail upon their government if, in contempt of their instructions, they should permit these refugees to station themselves upon the frontier, and there to commit acts of hostility, directly or indirectly; there to prepare expeditions, transfers of men and munitions; and, finally, there to render aid in any manner to the party in arms in the interior of Mexico against the troops of his Majesty. I will only remark to you that this recent act, when it shall be known in Paris, will make more pressing the demand for explanations, which I have recently been charged to address to you on the subject of the relations, not very intimate, which previously existed between Cortinas and some generals of the United States, from one bank to the other of the Bio Grande, and particularly upon the sale of arms belonging to the government of the United States which was made by these latter to that chief. I would therefore thank you to hasten the reply which you have been pleased to promise me upon this subject, at the same time that you will enable me to make known to M. Drouyn de Lhuys the measures you may have taken respecting Cortinas and his band.
If you should think that my presence should be immediately necessary at Washington, I would thank you to telegraph it to me at the consulate general of his Majesty at Quebec, as late as Tuesday next, the 27th, and after that at New York, at the Brevoort House, where I propose to remain until the 4th of October, and thence send off my mail.
Accept, dear sir, the renewed assurance of my high consideration, and of my devoted sentiments.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c.