The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-03
Colonel McKenzie's Invasion of
Mexico Fully Sustained.
PRESIDENT GRANT SPEAKS.
Lawlessness on the Mexican Border Will
Be Suppressed With or Without the Con-
sent Of the Mexican Government"
THE PRESIDENT ON ANNEXATION.

WASHINGTON, June q 1873.
The semi-oficla statement OF the attitude OF the
administration in regard to Colonel McKenzie's
punishment OF IT, Kickapoos on Mexican territory,
which was furnished exclusively TO the HERALD,
set at rest existing doubts to whether the gal
liant cavalry commander wiz be sustained in what
he has already DONE 1t can now be stated on the
highest authority that the policy OF the admins
tration in protecting the Texan border Is to be
aggressive in the fullest sense OF the word,
with this qualification, that the United States
has no quarrel with the Mexican govern
ment or its represen tatives, but only
intend henceorward to pursue and punish ma.
rauders whether they are Mexicans or Indians and
wherever they may seek refuge. Your corre-
spondent Is informed that it was not deemed ad-
visable in impedly sustaining Colonel Mckenzie
to make the statement too broad. At the time 1t
was written there had been nothing received that
would warrant free expression OF approval.
Hence in the semloicial statement it sad $50 far
as is known Colonel Mckenzie obeyed the lnstruc-
tons OF his superior officer without discussing the
propriety of crossing the Rio Grande in executing
them.n
at may be possible" said my informant "that
this officer exceeded his instructions, and 1t is not
the purpose OF this government to approve law
lessness on the part OF our representatives any
more than 1t will tolerate IL on the part Of its
enemies Hence the care taken that no false I'M
preston should get abroad that the admnstra-
ton was ready to blindly approve everything done
by our troops; but information was received to-
day which makes it no longer necessary to conceal
the true meaning OF Colonel McKenzie's act nor
the confidence which the President has in this
officer. He was selected by him from personal
knowledge OF his fitness for the work he has begun
and which, as already published had been resolved
upon"
Colonel Mckenzie was ordered from Fort Davis
to Fort Clark, taking with him the best cavalry
force in the army and placed in position where he
could be master OF the situation. While his in
structons did not in tenure direct him TO cross the
border, ne fully understood that 1t the desire
of those who had selected him for his new
and important duties that all maraudng parties
should be holly pursued and punished without
special regard to what streams or lines 1t might
be necessary to cross His written orders directed
him to chastise marauders from Mexican terri
tory His verbal instructions covered any
foray into Mexico that might be rendered
necessary. The President has no longer
any reservation in avowing his policy. He says
"Lawlessness on the Mexican border shall be sup
pressed with without the consent of the Me xican
government. II she cannot maintain order along
her own border, and prevent incursions into the
United States she shall not become q house OF
refuge for robbers Of our citizens be they Mexicans
or Indians over the Kickapoo tribe our govern
ment has sovereign right. They have become the
nucleus Of the worst OF bandits, and henceforth
will use all needed power to protect the lives and
property Of the citizens OF the United States with
out regard to the boundary laws OF Mexico"
II was in accordance with these views that
Colonel Mckenzie was ordered to the border, and
will be upheld for his last expedition and any SINH
undertake. 1t matters not whether Mexico CON-
plains or not. The President has determined upon
the course to be pursued, and 1t will be followed.
He Is fully advised as to the state OF affairs in the
Northern States OF Mexico. A large majority OF
the landowners are believed to be In favor OF an
nexation to the United States. As general thing
the Catholic clergy are opposed to 1t. The local
authorities Of individual States are also for
the most part favorable to protectorate
or annexation. The President does not
favor either at present. 1t will be time enough, he
thinks for this government to desire Mexican ter
rtory, when the inhabitants have acquired some
what Of the benefits OF civilization so fast extend
ing toward the border by means Of railroads and
increasing population from the Northern and West
ern States. Not until we are ready to bridge the
RE Grande with trans-continental railways in his
opinion, will the time come to annex or to accept
any OF the Mexican domain. This disposes OF any
idea that the administration is paving the way for
the acquisition Of more territory and the views
given just as they expressed by the Presi-
dent. Nor does he anticipate any trouble with
Mexico from Colonel McKenzie's operations along
the border, since Mexico has admitted her inability
to prevent these incursions, and so will not object
TO the punishment which has followed the Presi-
dents policy, and which may be expected in future
under similar circumstances
Ftn IA.
May 20, says abiding to Colonel McKenzie's opera
lions against the Kickapoos and Lipans:-"The
march OF one hundred miles, the fight and destruc
tion OF two villages and the return to camp with
all the captured stock and prisoners was
compnshed between noon OF the 18th and daylight
Of the 10th, fortyone hours, with loss to Colonel
Mckenzie OF only three men wounded, one sup