William L.Dayton, Esq., &c.
Mr. Chase to Mr. F. W. Seward
No. 18.]
Consulate General of the
United States, Tampico, April 27,
1864.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose
herewith a copy of a note (No. 1) addressed to me by the French
superior commandant of this place on the 25th instant; also a
copy of my reply thereto, (No. 3,) which was written and sent to
that officer thirty minutes after the receipt of his first note,
(marked No. 1,) although it was received at twilight.
My clerk went to and returned from the office of the commandant
three times, without finding him, for the purpose of putting him
in possession of the above-mentioned reply.
At the hour of 9.30 p. m. I received the second note, (No. 2,)
menacing me with imprisonment, and, without knowing its
contents, I sent him the reply, (No. 3,) after which I was not
molested.
The opportune arrival of the United States steamer Kanawha,
Captain Taylor, off this bar on the following morning, had the
effect to soften the temper of this imperious superior
commandant; still, I consider it my duty to submit this case to
your decision, indulging the hope that redress for this outrage
will be speedily demanded by my government.
I am, with great respect, sir, your most obedient servant,
F.W.Seward, Esq., Assistant Secretary of state, Washington D. C.
No. 1.
[Translation.]
Commandant Givertoss to
Mr. Chase
The commander-in-chief of Tampico begs the consul of the
United States to be pleased to give him the names and
Christian names of the individuals who have this day entered
this city, and who have not reported themselves at our
office He will be pleased to guarantee, under his
responsibility, the good conduct of these persons. In case
he should not do so, the superior commandant will have them
arrested as vagabonds. We require an immediate reply.
The superior commandant,
The
Consul of the United
States.
Commandant Givertoss to
Mr. Chase
[Translation.]
No. 2.]
Tampico, April 25,
1864.
It seemed to me that I had asked of the consul of the United
States what were the names of the Americans who had this day
entered our city. Let him be pleased to answer immediately
for the good conduct of those individuals; otherwise I shall
find myself under the painful necessity of making him
personally responsible therefor, and to make him my
prisoner. Reply immediately.
The superior commandant,
The United States Consul,
Mr. Chase to Commandant Givertoss
No. 3.]
Consulate General of the
United States, Tampico, April 25,
1864.
Sir: In reply to your note of the
present date, I have the honor to state to you that the only
persons I am aware of who have arrived in this city are
those that came in on yesterday, viz: Charles E. Johnson,
William Garret, and Lewis Davison, seamen, and five
passengers—the names of the latter I have not as yet
ascertained—all of whom are from the
[Page 762]
American schooner E. D. McClenahan, G.
R. Edgett, master, which vessel was lately wrecked near Soto
la Marina on her passage from New Orleans for this port.
These persons are doubtless peaceable; but if I should hear
of anything to the contrary, they will not receive any
countenance or protection from this consulate.
I have the honor to be, sir, most respectfully, your obedient
servant,
The Superior Commandant
of this place, &c.