The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-16

r. W. Peckham, esq now read and offered the iol-
lowing:
son. in declining the presentation OF his name candi-
date for The presidency and IN adhsrlng to candidate
iectons OF the democracy Of the Unon evinced dsn'
terestedness and elevation OF purpose which ene hun
The President put the question. aud il was adopted
The meeting. which until this ime-haf past ten
ocockhad continued undimnished in numbers and en-
ihusiasR, adjourned.
Memorial
To The honorable the Senate and House Of Representative
of the United States an Congress assembled:
The memorial of the Undersigned citizens OF the State
of Texas residing in the valley of the Rio Grande, hap
penng be present in the city of Washington respect
fully represents that the condition OF that portion OF the
United States bordering the Rio Grande and extend,
ing from the mouth OF said rlver Tor several hundred
miles up said stream exhibits at this time scene OF the
most deplorable outrages robbenes and murders ever
perpeated the territory of The United States These
aggressions committed chiefly by Mexcans but IN
many instances also by Indians. Similar occurrences
but far less frequent have taken place in this region Tor
several years past but within the las, few months they
have reached degree utterly appalling. Until recently
these depredaons and acts OF violence have been con-
fined to the high roads, the small crafts navigating the
Rio Grande, and the ranches, FARMS OF our Mexican
population frnging this stream. But now our towns,
villages and steamboats, have become the theatres wnere
these atrocous acts of violence daily committed.
In order apprze your honorable bodies OF the events
that have TRANSFERRED there 10 the latest daies we here
limbo extracts OF several letters received by us. from
gentlemen in whose intelligence yeacy, and respecia
bilty repose the utmost confidence and Tor the gen
era accuracy of whose statements we are ready to
vouch:
Extract Of a letter from gentleman OF BfovnsuHe,
dated May %, 1852.
The people constantly leaving, and starvation IS
een s dS o "a and Se Mesca e living by
stealing and robbery Every day we hear oil some muuef
avns oeen r,y a1a enuslany coming 10 his side of the
river with the avowed object OF numbering AmeIieans,
and they publicly declare that not white man shall I'VE
in the country few days they murdered parry Oh
six at one lime. This done by Gen Avalos troops
proved by that hands OF the dead were
and taken AVOIDS, and that he paid them for The
depredaons From The reliable Information, the
troops under the command of hvaios including national
States bave about twenty soldiers Fort Brown! Fort
Peedes mounted with 24pounders, and "a pound gun
small companies, with arms, for our common proec-
ton. On the last "Trip of the Comanehe, ian American
for transportation of provisions and supplies for the
army the ryer) she was fred into dozen times The
occurred TO her former trip. Beashear the unl
deputy collector sho, through the thigh and
his also wounded. John Martin, the pilot was
shot times and the ball passed within an Inch
of his head"
Ertract Of letter from another gentleman dated Bropns
uaie, May 81, 1852.
"The Coma nche' was again pretty well rdded with
balls iroG, Mexico; Bfashear shot through The lhlgh
and his child wounded How Captain Martin escaped Is
wonderful. TIE balls went through his pothouse IN all
directions Very many persons are leaving or preparing
! to do so; among others - -"
Letters from several other gentlemen have been re-
ceved corToboraiive Of the foregoing extracts.
| Your memorialists further inform your honorable
bodies that prior TO the occurrences detailed 10 tue lore
going extracts, numerous other robberes and murders
had been perperate this same frontier by organized
bands of marauders from the Mexican side OF the RIO
Grande, ana Who IN many instances penetrated many
OF their foul deeds IL IS believed that these bands IL
not directly auth orzed, were insugsted and coun-
tenanced by the Mexican military authorities upon this
border The belief is almest universal among the Anne
population that this impression is true One thing at
least known to be certan-ihat among the hundreds
10
by Mexican banditt, who Immediately fled back again
10 the Mexican territory not IS known TO nave been
fereted out punished nor any effort made by tha gov
eminent restrain them. These ontrages have been IN
many instances gross TO lead to retaliation and the
consequences has BEEN that since the treaty oil peace
with Mexico this portion oil our territory mas been 10 as
insec ue a state as il open between the two ma
lions actually existed has been an avowed object win
ltading Mexcans on this line 10 prevent the settlement
upon the American side of the river by their own people,
and to depopulae il OF all Americans who might establish
themselves there They have been stimulated TO accom-
psh this purpose, not only by national anilpales but
by the efforts Of foreign monoposts, IN order 10 cut on
the trade passing into Mexico through this valley in the
hands OF American merchants, and which has amounted
10 year since the treaty TO over four millions oi dol
lars The successful operation OF these combined inu
ences is apparent from the present condition OF the towns
on The American side OF the RIO Grande; Eighteen
months ago they were among lhe mos .atsng ana
towns diminishing IN population, their business nearly
annhilaed and even the town OF Brownsville, found
ed since the war; and which in less than three years
increased from nothing to population OF four thou
sand has dwindIed down to about fifteen hundred,
and its trade has fallen of in sill greater ratio
The question is presented to Congress, Shall
this fertile region be surrendered TO the maraudng
bands oil Indians and Mexicans Shall this great ma.
iion after conquering Mexico by arms, surrender por
ton of its territory fraud and violence There Is no
alternative You must defend il surrender y The
few remaining citizens there cannot without assistance
defend themselves from the knives OF midnight assas-
Gins and the organized bands of Mexican bandiiu.
We therefore respectfully pray your honorable BODIES
10 investigate the facts stated, and, found 10 De ine
to adopt measures for immediate adequate protection
The portion OF the United States army stationed upon
this frontier is totally insufficient IN point oil numbers
and entirely useless from the description OF troops EN-
poyed The number is just sufficient to serve as de-
GOV to those who might regard them as protection.
The artillery and infantry, both foot and mounted,
can serve no efficient purpose but protect the regular
posts and depots of supplies II requires at least one
regiment OF mounted rGemen, such as was employed
by Texas prior to annexation in the defence oil her IRON
tiers These troops would the country, and speed
ly end the commission of the outrages OF which we com
plain.
Your memorialss cannot believe that the day OF de-
graduation has yet come, when the American flag can fail
to protect the lives and property OF those on the soil
where il is planted.
As in duty bound, your memorallsts will ever pray,
SAMUEL A. BELDEN.
ROBERT II. HORD