TOMAS MEJIA, General Commanding, &c to Godfrey Weitzel, December 1, 1865

General Mejia to General Weitzel

General: In answer to your communication of October 24, I will state that I have taken the necessary information in regard to the detention of the individuals whom you ask me to set at liberty.

In none of the edifices which serve as prisons in this city of Matamoras can there be found the persons of James McElrath, Bartley Quinn, or James Smith; but under the jurisdiction of the court-martial are detained Richard Crawford, or Cranford, Carter Smith, and Joseph King, American soldiers, who deserted from your command on the 16th of September last, and were taken prisoners in the neighborhood of Matamoras on the next day, the 17th, in a skirmish which took place between a few of my soldiers and one of Cortina’s band.

It is, therefore, impossible for me to set them at liberty.

It is true that a few men of color, of American origin, were employed on the public works or fortifications; but this labor was freely given, and they were paid one dollar each daily.

You see that neither the laws nor the treaties have been violated.

It is also certain that during the last operations in this city several negroes and former United States soldiers were arrested, but they were afterwards liberated. Still, the presence of individuals of this class in the enemy’s lines, the projectiles of American manufacture which were thrown over Matamoras, and the passing of Escobedo’s artillery indiscriminately to and from Texas on United States transports, justify, in the eyes of my government, such measures of security.

Accept, general, the assurances of my highest consideration.