The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-24
DIPLOMACY OF THE MATTER.

DIPLOMACY OF THE MATTER.
The United States Officially Warn the
Mexican Authorities OF what Might
Arise from the Continued Raids.
The troubles on the Rio Grande, which have now
reached eliminating point, 10 is well known owe
their origin to two principal causes These are
the existence Of the Tree zone, by which extensive
smuggling is carried on from Mexico into the
United States; and the constant raids of outlaws,
composed OF Mexicans and Indians into Texas,
where they plumber the settlers ranches and carry
Off in the aggregate during each year immense
herds Of cattle. The Rio Grande being fordable,
gives the marauders certain and safe retreat as
heretofore our troops we're not allowed to cross the
river in pursuit, The parties engaged in this Illicit
traffic are VIGOROUSLY protected by the Mexican
authorities from the well-known fact that no
efforts have ever been made to arrest the thieves
and stolen cattle ind ready sale in the open
markets there. 1t is equally well-known fact that
two-thirds of the time OF the Texan Grand Jures
while in session for years past has been occupied In
inquirng into the wholesale robbery OF CATTLE until
at last 1t has become evident that unless the
strong arm OF the United States government
interposed the stock interests of the State would
become so injured as to cause the depopulation
and abandonment of all ranches between the
time, was military commander on the frontier, was
In open completely with the cattle thieves, Afforded
them protection and shared in their spells. This
man is a malefactor and dared not enter Texas
where several indictments for murder are hanging
over his head. 1t must not be supposed that the
United States has not sought redress and de-
manded from Mexico the performance OF her duty
as q friendly neighbor. 1t Ia true Cortna was
removed in 1871 and General Florentino Caxrllo
appointed in his place, with the object, it was SOL
EMMY promised, of putting end to the robberies
and Furnishing the criminals, but matters, instead
OF getting better, have grown worse. At the same
time the American Cabinet resolved to represent
the matter to the Mexican government, and. ac-
cordingly, the following despatch was addressed
to our Minister in Mexico by the Secretary OF
State:-
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, June 26 1871.
THOMAS Fl. NELSON, United States Minister,
slRMYour despatch of the % inst, relative to
depredations from Mexico across the frontier OF
Texas, has been received. The frequency Of those
raids the serious losses which the occasion and the
impunity OF their perpetrators want grave constd-
GRAFTON on the part OF this government. 1t Is pre-
sumcd that any remonstrances which may he ad-
dressed to the Mexican government upon the sub
ject would have little or no effect. You may how
ever, say (unofilcially) that it may become our
duty, at last to weigh the expediency OF pursuing
the hostile Indians into Mexico, without the con-
sent OF that government, If it shall not adopt
to. am, Sir, &C. HAMILTON FISH.
The despatch was read to the Mexican Minister
of Foreign Affairs, due emphasis being placed on the
expression, sft might become the duty Of our
government. &C" but without effect. The Mexican
government declined to grant permission to our
troops to follow the marauding Indians across the
Rio Grande and displayed continued apathy in pre-
venting raids of hostile tribes and cattle steaers.
General Sherman was appealed to not long since on
cuhia lao adj m cd hat he
chance OF preventing forays was by pursuing the
raiders to their haunts, and as he was unable to
authorize that course, he said
THE MATTER PROPERLY BELONGED TO THE STATE
DEPARTMENT.
The Border Commission that went to Texas last
year found matters fully as bad as reported. They
returned but are again the spot; and the Secre-
tary OF war and General Sheridan have lately re-
turned from the same direction. While these high
officers of the government were pursuing their in
yestigatiOns numerous bands Of Mexicans and
Indians were devastating the frontier Texas
counties deying the civil authorities and flying to
their retreats foreign soil when pursued by the
military. At this very time too, the farmers were
compelled to leave their work and shoulder their
muskets to protect their homes and property.
These forays, which continue up to the
present moment, retard emigration, ruin the
settlers, reducing them from competency to pow
There is no country in the world that would pa
tiently submit to such outrages for 80 many years.
The United states has observed the greatest for.
bearance towards the sister Republic In conse-
uuence of her distracted condition and the
knowledged feebleness OF the central authority In
the distant States but 1t IL tso much to ask that
we can quietly stand still and allow one OF the
fairest portions OF the Union to be laid waste by
savages and reebooters who find protection for
their persons and market for their spells in the
territory OF the neighboring country There Is,
besides, question that lies more or less at the
bottom OF the free and cattle stealing difcul-
ties-namely that in the minds OF border Mexicans
is the impression that the territory between the
Neuces and the Rio Grsnde, acquired by the Treaty
OF Hidalgo- Guadalupe, still belongs to them, and
that the Americans there are intruders-in short,
enemies to be warred against.
THE KICKAPoos AS CATTLE THIEVES.
Colonel MacKenzie's bold and successful attack
| on the Kickapoos, Mescaleros and Lipan Indians
was not alone justinable for the reasons before
stated but on the ground that these semicivilized
| savages are not Mexican but American tribes.
| During the late war in the Southern states they
removed into Mexican territory in order to avoid
taking part In the struggle and to escape 1t said,
the cruel treatment either visited threatened to
be visited on them by the Coniederates. They
| were welcomed by the Mexicans, and every In
ducement offered TO them to remain. They were
early taught by Cortinas and his feow-robbers to
join them in their pundering expeditions, and they
were found particularly useful In attempts to ex-
| cuse crimes perpetrated by Mexicans who when
called to account for their wrong doing, laid II on
the shoulders OF wild and uncomfortable Indians.
they were and also considered by the local au-
tnorties protection against the excursions OF hos
tile Apaches and Comaches from the north At all
events, they have continued to pay visits to their
habitations. and have, with Aexicans. caused the