Soon after my arrival here I found two gentlemen, Señors Folacin Ruiz and Ignacio. P. Oropesa, both of whom claimed to exercise rightfully consular powers for the Republic of Mexico at this port, with consular flags, offices, &c., each representing the other to be without consular authority from that Government. Being applied to by both to settle the question between them, I caused the letters addressed to the Mexican consul to be detained in the post-office until I would bring both gentlemen together, when communications addressed to the one and the other, copies of which are hereby annexed, marked A and B, were found, coming from the minister of the interior for the Republic of Mexico, which settled the question at once. Thereupon I ordered both gentlemen to take down their consular flags at once and cease to exercise or discharge the duties and business f the consulate, and referred them to their own Government and the consul-general of that Government at New York.

Hoping that my action herein meets your approval.

I have the honor to be, your most obedient servant,

B. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding Department.

EXHIBIT A.

(Translation.)

Numbers 41.] MEXICAN REPUBLIC, MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR RELATIONS, National Palace, Mexico, April 3, 1862.

Sr. Don FOLACIN RUIZ,

In Charge of the Archives of the Consulate-General of the Republic in New Orleans:

I have received the dispatch Numbers 5, which, under date of the 7th of the past month, you were pleased to send me, and I give you thanks for the information which you give me relative to events recently taken place in the United States.

In case that you should not have received my communication Numbers 40, of 31st of January last, and as it is not now expedient that there should be a consulate in New Orleans, I must reiterate to you the order that you will be pleased to deliver the archives and seals which you have in your charge to the consul of the Republic in New York.

Receive the protestations of my particular esteem.

DOBLADO.

I certify that the above is a correct translation of Document Numbers 41 in the original Spanish, signed and dated as above. In witness whereof witness my signature.

S. A. PERKINS,

First Lieutenant, Third Massachusetts Cavalry, Second Brigade.

EXHIBIT B.

(Translation.)

MEXICO, National Palace, April 23, 1862.

Sr. Dr. IGNACIO P. DE OROPESA:

Having received lately at this department various communications from you, in which it appears that you are still exercising the functions of vice-consul, I must reiterate, in case that the last order of