New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-03-31
TEXAS.
Pesnage and Kidnapping-L.tter from Mr.
Webster.
Ceuespondeuce Of The n Y Ir1bups

Correspondence Of The n Y Tnbuns
EAGLE Pass, Tue sday, d sc. 80, 1850.
Ii is now something more than a year
since our Government was called upon to take
some measures against the system of kidnapping
poems from the American side of the Bravo but
thus far there is no breath or hint of repression
There are more Indian poems than Afric an
slaves enduring stripes and bondage on this Re-
publican Continent OF North America. -Four or
five millions of the native blood of the soil are
sinking into lower abasement, and expiring in
slow fortunes, under this peon serfdom. And
not only are there less, by million OF more, Of
African than Indian slaves, but they are Infinite.
ly better treated as whole, and the race is I'M
questionably ameliorating even in its most un.
favorable phase of Slavery. This is not said in
defense OF African Slavery leave tn 1t to ADLER
hands than mlne-but to show that the multi.
plIcaIlon table can weld startling computations
for more than one class of oppressed.
Mr. Stewards call for information Oh tais
kidnapping business, awakened many hopes
III those who wish law aud liberty TO reign
for all men, and who can afford 10 share with
the red man the Astounding sympathy which
some would keep exclusively for the black, but
the matter seems to have been tenderly laid to
sleep.
What sincere people have a right to complain
OF Is the gingeriy evasion Of the core OF the
question In reply to the call of the Senate, and
the singular omission of the Secretary of State
to hand In the most Important letter Of the cor
respondeRce, namely, his own reply to the
NE morasts of Eagle Pass in the case Of the Rios
abduction | send you an exact copy of this
answer, that it may be known as law if it is
law, or IN any case as an exposition Of the views
ok the Cabinet.
The Tribune of March A.. 1851, gives the
correspondence laid before the Senate in com
piance with Mr.. Stewards call on the Depart.
meut of State, all as complete as the play Of
Macbeth, with only the characters Of Macbeth
and Lady Macbeth omitted.
Mr.. Webster hands over letter from Gen
Hugh Mcleod, Of Texas, inc losing The memorial
OF several Of the most respectable citizens OF
Eagle Pass, detailing high handed insult to the
sovereignty of our soil and praying some action
thereon.
The memorial stated, together with the dates
and names OF the party and witnesses, the afro
cious kidnapping and conveyance into Mexico Of
an unOffending head Of a family, on the public
street of an American settlement, by open vio-
lence and fsrce OF arms. To this appeal Mr..
Webster made the following reply, in his official
capacity; and why such letter, written in De-
cember, should not have been given in when
called for in March, is surprise and perpleXi-
~ to all cognizant o. the facts. Will you have
the candor and justice to give it place and CON-
plete the account Of how the kidnapping trade
stands on this bofderl
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON 18th Dec, 1850.
To Hugh Mcleod Esq, Galveston Tsras
Sir: have to- acknowledge the receipt Of your
letter OF the 30th ultlmo, with the accompanying pa.
pers, relative to the abduction OF Manuel Rios from
Eagle Pass, in Texas, in September last BY Dennis
Mead, OF Padras Negras In MEXICO, who claimed the
services of Rios as peon under the laws of the
Mexican Republic.
Asst does not appear that any officer of that Re-
pubic was concerned in the abduction, the case 10
Mexican Government II Mr. Mead, however, should
have violated any Law OF the STATE of Texas the
thores OF that State can cause him to be prosecuted
therefor whenever be may be found within thsr Ja-
rsdlcon II also Rios should assert that be is wrong
fully held In bondage. he must mako good his claim
to freedom before the judicial tribunals Of that soun
try. lam, &C., &c, DANIEL WEBsTsR.
Ono word on the legal opinions thus set down
by the foremost lawyer in all our thirty.one
States:
|. Texas has the power to prosecute any man
for violation of her laws-if he can be caught
within her borders Thankfully admitted.
H. That man forcibly abducted from our soil
for an offense unknown to our laws must abide
his bondage or find redress in the tribunals of
the country to which he is conveyed by violence.
Only that ga Daniel has come to Judgment
one would demur at this position that the
amount rights over our sovereign nationality.
new light and thankfully to be received but
why was it not given to the country at the cali
of the Senate
Again, the country is told that the united
States Legation at Mexico have been instructed
to inquire into the case to which these documents
re ate but as there is no treaty of extradition
III Al Dan lie ~
difficult to reach the offenders" 1t was not so
much to reach these offenders as to quel the Of
tense, for this kidnapping is taking serious as.
pect tina. law-respectlng men invoked the ala OF
their Government 1t Is year and upward SINCE
the facts were before 1t, yet no one has heard
anything from our Legation at Mexico. That
there is no treaty of extradition for the protec-
ten Of our soil and citizens Is but reason the
more that our Cabinet should arouse Itself aud
have ope II is not created merely 10 give and
eat diplomatic dinners; part OF It's time Is due
to he country.
Parties have been talked of in Texas for the
purpose of acting Oh Mr.. Webster's principle OF
mpunity, and bringing back from Mexico score
OF TIVE of runaway slaves. Bands OF armed men
are even now, at the moment OF my writing, no
veiirg between us and Laredo. and whether
their object is to mingle in the second edition OF
Ca,avalsrs revolution, or make a foray on the
villages noted for slave harborage, the Cabinet
viii be equa " LEFT in dilemma. II it has no
lnta ans to chsstlse tie INVASION OF It's own soil
how can il take care of Mexico Il is enough
TO leave to the "lsdlclal tribunals" OF Mexlcothe
night to legslige oaenses against US, without
furnishing or citizens when they do the same
things OF her soil We must have impunlty on
both sides, or law on both sides The Cabinet IS
uitlmg away years without oning TO conciu-
sion, but under cover OF this inactlon. border
sentiment and border action Is settling upon It's
course OF self protection. Cora MONTGOMERY.