Eduardo du May to Mejia , Military Commander of Bagdad and its dependencies, January 16, 1866

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Colonel: I have the honor to acknowledge your communication of to-day, and in reply I must say, that while I acted as commander of this place, General Escobedo ordered me to visit the various mercantile establishments and collect a forced loan for the aid of the forces stationed here.

In obedience to this order, I visited various establishments of this city, and among others that of Mr. Mayoral, whom I did not see, but I met a French lady who said she was the wife of the manager of the establishment, and I communicated my order to her. She answered that as Mr. Mayoral was not present, she could do nothing in regard to the loan; but there were some goods in the store, belonging to the so-called imperial government, (and she pointed them out,) which I could take. I made this known to General Escobedo, and he ordered me to confiscate the goods, put them on board a sloop, and send them across the river. I communicated the order to one of my adjutants, who went to the store, seized the goods, and put them aboard a schooner lying at the landing, and left them there till further orders. The next day the vessel was taken to the other side of the river.

And this is all I know of the affair.

I renew the protests of my respectful consideration.