The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 3, Volume 2. Page: 425
viii, 1007 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
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UNION AUTHORITIES.
I have believed, general, that I ought to make to you this recital of
the facts, which it seems to me entirely exonerates Mr. Chs. Heid-
sieck, and hope you will be so good as to take them under considera-
tion. I know Mr. Heidsieck personally, and know that he is completely
neutral in the present contest.
Please accept, general, &c.,
CTE. MEJAN.
[Inclosure No. 2.-Translation.]
CONSULATE OF FRANCE AT NEW ORLEANS,
August 1, 1862.
Major-General BUTLER, &c.:
GENERAL: I took the liberty to write to you yesterday in favor of
Mr. Chs. Heidsieck, who has been arrested by your orders, and who is,
I am assured, to be sent to-day to Fort Jackson.
I have yesterday and to-day gathered some further information
about this Frenchman, and they fully confirm the facts I thought it
my duty to state to you yesterday. I have learned especially that
when Mr. Heidsieck came here on the Natchez he was entered by his
name on the crew list, which doubtless has always been submitted to
you, and this fact proves at least in a peremptory manner that he has
never concealed his name, and that he did not fear any investigation.
Mr. HIeidsieck came to see me when he came to New Orleans, but never
brought me letters, nor even a newspaper, and has never taken from
me, and that at his own desire, other than verbal instructions to the
vice-consul of France at Mobile. This, it seems to me, may be also
invoked in his favor. I am told one of the chief accusations against
him would be that he had sold on his last voyage several baskets of
champagne wine. According to the information I have obtained, and
which I have every reason to believe exact, this wine must have been
sold by his agent, and came from a lot which has been here three
years. The arrival of Mr. Heidsieck yesterday as bearer of dispatches
sent by the vice-consul at Mobile would prove, in case of need, that
this Frenchman had not any thought that anything could be reproached
to him, for if it is true that he thought he could count upon the respect
everywhere borne for bearers of dispatches he would none the less
have hesitated to come to town if he had any fears for his safety.
Finally, the contents of the packets which Mr. Heidsieck brought can-
not make against him, for he was as ignorant of them as I was myself
ignorant.
I hope, general, that before inflicting on Mr. Heidsieck, who, accord-
ing to the language of all his friends, has always maintained the
strictest neutrality in word and deed, a penalty which would be equiv-
alent almost, at this season and to an unacclimated man, to the pen-
alty of death, you would be so good as to re-examine this case, which
presents many sides which should be weighed in favor of Mr. Chs.
Heidsieck. I will add that since Mr. Heidsieck came to the United
States he has been occupied exclusively in the, liquidation of his
affairs, which has required his presence at Mobile, which is the center
of the district embracing the greatest number of his credits. Mr.
Heidsieck is of a family much respected in France and is esteemed
by all who know him.
Accept, general, &c.,
CTE. MEJAN.425
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United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 3, Volume 2., book, 1899; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth139264/m1/434/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.