Edwin M. Stanton to William H. Seward, September 19, 1864

Mr. Stanton to Mr. Seward

Sir: I enclose to you the following extract from a despatch from Major General Canby, received last night, dated at New Orleans, 3 o’clock p. m., September 12:

“Cortinas has crossed the Rio Grande to escape the French forces operating from Bagdad, and has been notified by the commanding officer at Brazos Santiago that, on surrendering his army and ammunition, his party would be received as refugees; and that his presence in the territory of the United States, as an armed enemy of a neutral power, would not be tolerated.”

Your obedient servant,