This is the substance of what I wrote to him, the official dispatch the same as the No. 20; and the German merchants, who have been the sufferers by this raid, pronounce my letter out of place, as I did not urge on Sisson positive advice and use stronger language condemnatory of the affair. No. 278. Mr. Fish to Mr. Nelson. No. 136.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 7, 1871. SIR: I transmit a copy of the reply of the Secretary of War to the letter of this Department which was accompanied by a copy of your dispatch No. 336, of the 10th ultimo, relative to Indian affairs. It will be noticed that General Belknap deems it advisable that the required consent of the Mexican congress to the entrance of United States troops into that republic, near the frontier, for the purpose referred to, should be obtained. You will, consequently, adopt such measures for that purpose as may seem to you proper and likely to be successful. In a matter, however, which must, if not judiciously managed, wound the sensibilities of a people so averse to anything like an invasion of their soil by foreigners, it will be necessary to move with great delicacy and caution, not merely with a view to compass the object desired, but to avoid giving offense by even proposing it. Confidence, however, is reposed in your discretion. I am, &c., HAMILTON FISH. [Inclosure.] Mr. Belknap to Mr. Fish. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, February 3, 1871. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge your reference to this Department on the 28th ultimo of a copy of a recent dispatch from the United States minister to Mexico, informing the Department of State that, in accordance with the request of this Department, the Mexican government has authorized the governor of the State of Chihuahua to co-operate with the United States military commander at Fort Davis in a campaign against the hostile Indians in Texas; but that the United States troops cannot be permitted to pursue the Indians into Mexican territory without the consent of the Mexican congress; also, calling attention to the offer of the Mexican government to assist the United States authorities in restoring to the territory of the United States certain straggling bands of Indians now in Mexico. In reply, I have the honor to inform you that the military commander at Fort Davis has been led to expect the co-operation of the governor of Chihuahua in his campaign against the Indians, and it is, therefore, only necessary now to ask that, with a view of assisting any future operations that may become desirable for the protection of the citizens of both sides of the Rio Grande, the Mexican congress be requested to grant the requisite authority for the troops of the United States, under such conditions as may be deemed proper, to pursue within the Mexican border such hostile Indians from the United States as may flee into Mexico to escape their merited punishment. With regard to the removal of the fragmentary bands of Indians, you are informed that the Indian Bureau is now engaged in the necessary arrangements for their removal, an appropriation of $25,000 having been granted for the purpose. Vely respectfully, your obedient servant, The Hon. SECRETARY OF STATE. WM. W. BELKNAP, No. 353.] No. 279. Mr. Nelson to Mr. Fish. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Mexico, February 10, 1871. (Received February 27.) SIR: On the 4th instant a rumor of the capitulation of Paris was circulated in this city, causing intense excitement on the part of the German and French residents. On the following day several contradictory telegrams appeared, some affirming and others denying that news, which was not fully verified until the arrival at Vera Cruz, on the 8th instant, of a steamer from New Orleans. On the 6th instant, however, in consequence of new telegrams received via Galveston, Matamoras, and San Luis Potosi, the Germans became so fully convinced of the fact that they raised the flag of the German Empire over their clubhouse, where they gathered in the evening to celebrate the event with illuminations, music, and boisterous conviviality. The French population became, thereupon, so exasperated as to openly threaten an attack upon the German club, and scenes of bloodshed were imminent. During the day the French succeeded in obtaining an order from the government for the lowering of the German flag, as being a demonstration unauthorized in a neutral country. At about half past five o'clock p. m. of that day, I received a communication from Mr. Ernest Burdel, in charge of the archives of the French legation, a translation of which is herewith inclosed, (A,) in which, after referring to the great excitement consequent upon the receipt of the telegraphic news above mentioned, he invoked my good offices with the Mexican government, for the purpose of preventing any public manifestations on the part of the Germans, which, considered as a provocation by the French, might result in deplorable excesses. I replied to Mr. Burdel immediately, (B,) promising to do everything in my power for the prevention of such tumults, and addressed a note to the department of foreign affairs, (C,) inclosing Mr. Burdel's communication, and inviting the Mexican government to take timely measures for the maintenance of public order and tranquillity. On the 7th instant I advised Mr. Burdel of the steps which I had taken in compliance with his request, (D,) and received from him another communication, (E,) thanking me for my good offices, but deploring that the steps taken by the government had not been more effective. On the same day Mr. Manuel Aspiroz, the acting secretary for foreign affairs, addressed me a note, (F,) in which he informed me that immediately upon the receipt of mine of the day before, proper measures were taken to preserve order, in addition to those previously taken by the government of the district. At an early hour of the evening, an allegorical transparency, allusive to the recovery of the Rhine by the Germans, was placed in front of the club-house. Soon after the French residents began to gather in the street to the number of two or three hundred, all armed; the windows of the building were stoned, several shots were fired, and the transparency destroyed. After some time the police appeared, along with a cavalry force, and dispersed the rioters, wounding some and carrying others to prison; the illumination was extinguished, and, by the aid of the police, the Germans were enabled to conclude their festivity in quietness. An inflammatory account of the transaction appeared the following day in the French paper, the Trait d'Union, a translation of which is herewith annexed, (G.) Several personal collisions have since occurred, and the state of feeling between the French and Germans continues to be very much embittered. I trust that the course which I thought proper to pursue as the friend of both nationalities, and in their common interest, will meet the approval of the Department of State. Your obedient servant, Inclosures. THOMAS H. NELSON. A.-Mr. Burdel to Mr. Nelson. G.-Article from Trait d'Union. (Translation.). H.-Mr. Aspiroz to Mr. Nelson. A. Mr. Lurdel to Mr. Nelson. [Translation.] ARCHIVES OF THE FRENCH LEGATION, MR. MINISTER: Telegrams from San Luis which have announced the capitulation of Paris have excited emotion among the Germans and the French residents, of this capital, which the slightest incident may cause to break out into excesses which would be very deplorable. Although I do not doubt that the authorities are disposed to take all the measures which prudence and impartiality suggest for the prevention of a conflict, I nevertheless think it my duty to request from your benevolence that you will invite the administration to prohibit on the part of the Germans any public manifestation which might assume the character of a provocation to the French. You will undoubtedly agree with me, sir, that it is better to prevent the evil than to allow it to take place, and that it is in a moment which fills us with sorrow and clothes us in mourning that it is most befitting for you to discharge the high protective mission which the Government at Washington has conferred upon you. Be pleased to accept the assurance of the sentiments of respect, with which I have the honor to be, Mr. Minister, your very humble and very obedient servant, ERNEST BURDEL. B. Mr. Nelson to Mr. Burdel. MEXICO, February 6, 1871. MY DEAR SIR: I received your note of this date at 5.30 p. m., and called immediately upon Mr. Beneke, the German consul, (the Baron Von Schlozer being absent from the city,) to ascertain whether it was the purpose of his countrymen to make a public demonstration, by way of rejoicing over the report of the capitulation of Paris. Mr. Beneke informed me that he had been invited to a reunion at the German club, bat was not aware of any intention to have a public demonstration at this time, but that he would ascertain and communicate to me the facts without delay. In the event that a public demonstration is contemplated which might result in tumults and excesses, I will do everything in my power, both officially and personally, to prevent it. Very truly, yours, THOMAS H. NELSON. C. Mr. Nelson to Mr. Aspiroz. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I herewith inclose a note I have just received from Mr. Burdel, who is in charge of the French archives in this city, in which he expresses the apprehension that a public manifestation of rejoicing by the German residents in this city over the report of the capitulation of Paris, would result in tumults and excesses, and requests me to invite the Mexican government to prohibit any public demonstration which might assume the character of a provocation to the French. I send the note to you immediately, so that proper and timely measures may be taken to prevent a disturbance, if the information communicated by Mr. Burdel should provo to be correct. I have the honor to subscribe, &c., D. Mr. Nelson to Mr. Burdel. THOMAS H. NELSON. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, MY DEAR SIR: Having learned that there were indications of a tumult in front of the German club last evening, at 74 o'clock, I addressed a note to the department of foreign affairs, in which I inclosed your note of yesterday, so that proper and timely measures might be taken to prevent any collision between the French and German residents of this capital. I was advised that the said notes were immediately communicated to the governor of the federal district, and that means were employed to prevent a disturbance. I remain, very respectfully, &c., E. Mr. Burdel to Mr. Nelson. [Translation.] THOMAS H. NELSON. ARCHIVES OF THE FRENCH LEGATION, Mexico, February 7, 1871. MY DEAR SIR: I received yesterday afternoon and to-day the letters which you have been so good as to address nie with a promptness which elicits my deepest gratitude. I regret that the authorities charged with the maintenance of order have not proceeded with a decision and a moderation which might certainly have prevented the lamentable scene of last night. However this may be, there is reason to believe that, as a result of what has happened, not less than of the wise prohibition of the President of the republic, such events will not again occur. I beg you to accept, my dear sir, along with my thanks, the assurances of my very devoted regard. ERNEST BURDEL. F. Mr. Aspiroz to Mr. Nelson. [Translation.] DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, Mexico, February 7, 1871. SIR: Yesterday at 8 o'clock p. m. I received the note which your excellency addressed me, accompanied by a communication from Mr. Burdel, in charge of the archives of the French legation in Mexico, in which he expresses the fear that a public manifestation of rejoicing made by the German residents in this city, on account of the news of the capitulation of Paris, might result in tumults and excesses, and requests your excellency to address the Mexican government, inviting it to prohibit any public demonstration which might have the character of a provocation to the French. In view of the facts, your excellency was pleased immediately to remit the communication of Mr. Burdel, in order that the proper measures might be taken to prevent disorder, in case the information furnished by Mr. Burdel should prove correct. In reply, I have the honor to state to your excellency that, at the moment of receiving your note, the proper measures were taken to preserve order, in addition to those already taken by the government of the district. I have much pleasure in improving this occasion to express the very distinguished consideration with which I have the honor to subscribe myself, very respectfully, &c., MANUEL ASPIROZ. G. [Translation of an article from the Trait d'Union of February 7, 1871.} THE GERMAN FESTIVAL. With deplorable levity, the German residents of Mexico, even before receiving any confirmation of the news of the surrender of Paris, have, as it would seem, determined to put to some use the flags, trausparencies, and trophies which they have had ready for use for more than three months, and which were beginning to mold. During the morning a tri-colored flag, probably that of their new German empire, was hoisted over their club-house, to the great scandal of the French population, and of the vast majority of the Mexican population, who have regarded this act merely as an imprudent and odious provocation. It became necessary to procure an order from the President himself, to oblige them to lower this flag, illegally raised over a private edifice, to the great detriment of public order. In the evening they wished to take their revenge by illuminating their club and placing upon the balcony a transparency upon which was an allegorical painting insulting to France. The French population became violently excited in consequence of this insult in a neutral country, and very grave disorders were to be feared. The police was summoned to the spot, several shots were fired, many persons it is said were wounded by the police, and the famous transparency was torn in pieces. The Germans of Mexico are playing a villainous game. This mode of celebrating a false piece of news by public manifestations in a neutral country, where so large a number of French reside, does no honor either to their good sense or to their character. They have acted in the same manner at Colima and at Vera Cruz when the news was received of the capitulation of Metz, and we strongly advise them to abandon this custom. for they have neither hundreds of thousands of men nor Krupp cannons here to enable them to act as savages. They are not in a conquered country, and they may fare the worse for their folly. At the time of the Italian wars, the French abstained from all public demonstrations out of regard for the nationalities which such manifestations would have wounded. If the Germans are so proud of the exploits of their countrymen, who shoot women and old men, and rob France like real bandits, they are free. to be so. The Comanches also drink fire-water and dance around their prisoners before massacreing them; but let them rejoice in their own homes and their own circle, and no one will be the worse for it. This would be more dignified and less dangerous. H. Mr. Azpiroz to Mr. Nelson. MINISTRY OF FOREIGN RELATIONS, Yesterday, at eight o'clock in the evening, the note was received which your excellency was pleased to address me, together with a communication from Mr. Burdel, in charge of the archives of the French legation at the city of Mexico, in which the fear is expressed that public rejoicings on the part of the Germans residing in this city, on account of the news of the capitulation of Paris, will cause a riot, and your excellency |