De Geofroy to William H. Seward, April 3, 1864

Mr. Geofroy to Mr. Seward.

Sir: As I have had the honor to inform you, I have transmitted to my government the documents which your excellency submitted to me, on the subject of the affair at Matamoras. The documents can scarcely have reached Paris at this moment.

While awaiting the answer they will occasion, I this morning received a second despatch from Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys, pointing to new facts on which I shall have the honor to confer with your excellency on the earliest day my health will permit me to go out; but there is a point which seems to be of importance to bring immediately to your notice. It would appear that on the news of the events of the month of January last, General Bazaine took the measures necessary to protect, in the direction of Matamoras, the Mexican territory against any further invasion. Whatever may be the opinion we may form upon past events, you will comprehend, sir, how necessary it is, to avoid all complication in the future, that General Banks, and the officers serving under his orders, may be again called to the strict observance of the instructions given the 23d November, 1863, from your excellency’s department.

I should not, either, leave you in ignorance that the French troops must also have been directed to Sonora, where, according to reports, more or less founded, a very considerable number of emigrants from California must lately have disembarked at Guaymas, and have established themselves in the country in virtue of grants which were made to them by the ex-President, Juarez.

The mission of our forces is to prevent, in Sonora, all these; takings of illicit possession, if they be really attempted; and, in any case, the lawfulness of concessions which shall have emanated from Juarez will never be admitted. Your excellency will probably judge proper to make this known to American citizens who might allow themselves to be drawn into such speculations.

I seize this occasion to renew to your excellency the assurances of my high consideration.