Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-05-12
On THE TEXAS BORDER.
A DepIOrabIe Picture OF the Situation
The MatamOFss Cut Throat, Carti-
mas, at che Bottom Of All the Trouble
His Early Downfall Probable.

A DesIOrabIe Picture OF the Situation
The MatamOras Cut Throat, Carti-
mas, at che Bottom Of All the Trouble
His Early Downfall Probable.
St. Louis Republican, May 10.
Alr.Samuel Brantom, a gentleman Tho has
resided west Of the Nueces river, Texas, for
seven years, much of that time near the Rio
Grande, passed through the city yesterday
on his way TO Ohio. In a conversation
with a reporter Of the Republican, Mr..
BrantOm drew a deplOTable picture Of the
situation along the border. De says that
the outlaws Of both Mexico and the United
States are engaged in the marauding raids
and murderOuS attacks on the rancho
rOs. DesperadOes fleeing from justice,
in Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, and
States further TO the east escape to the Dor
der, where they come in contact and act in
collision with the bandits under the pro-
lection Of COrtinas, the rObber mayor Of
Matamoras. There is no doubt, according
to his belief, that the raids which have
cost the people of Western Texas so much
loss have been organized, or if not, at
least encouraged by this scOundrel ORTIZ
mas. who has usurped the chief authority
in the State Of Tanaulipas. Gov. Canales,
Mr.. BrantOm says, IS utterly pOTerless to
do ANYTHING and cannot assist in bringing
the thieves 10 Justice, which he seems very
willing to do if il were not for the superior
influence Of COTtinas. There are a good
many Mexican troops stationed along the
Rio Graude, and Gen. EscObedo, CON-
mander- in-chief Of the Mexican army, has
lis Headquarters at SaltillO. There are
two regiments Of cavalry disposed along
a. n.FAHH lot I'm
I,uredD. Recently the soldiers have
assisted Texans in making some arrests OF
cattle thieves who have escaped across the
river. But it has been Of little avail, as,
under the laws Of Mexico, they could not
be held by the military or tried by court
martial while the civil courts are open, and
Cortinas has managed to have them all
turred over to his creatures, who are al
cades, and they have been turned loose
again. Meanwhile the stolen property of
American citizens at last finds its way into
the possession Of the bandit chiettaiD who
rules in MatamOgas. MIR. Brantom ex-
presses a hope that the treachepOus, rascally
career of COrtinas is about TO be brought
TO a close by the action Of the Next
can government. Gen. Canales VINO mas
been virtually superseded in the exercise Of
the functions 1l LIS OAAAIE a. wv vi AAN4 Va
the State of TamaulipaS, by the audacity Of
Cortiuas, has long entertained towards the
NatamOras bandit bitter animOsity, has
BEEN using all his influence and power to
effect the downfall Of that thievIng scoun-
drel. Canales once removed CoTtlnas from
the office Of Mayor Of Matamoras, but
through some techniCality he regained his
place and has since been more audsclOus
than before, actually assuming the govern
ment Of the State. In this usurPation he
IS supported by all the thieves, Vagabonds
and desperadOes on the border.
At the time Mr.. Brantom left Browns
vile, a little more than a week ago, it was
rImo-ed that Gov. Canales, who has the
active sympathy Of all the better classes Of
society and the moral support Of Gen. EscO-
bado, backed by the army, has secured
ample evidence Of the completely Of Cor
tinas with the raiders into Texas, and that
measures are being taken to arrest him on
! A charge of conspiracy to- make war on
| friendly Government, contrary to treaty
stimulation entered into by the government
of the republic, and also under the charge
/ of highway robbery and other crimes.
MI, Brantom saws the Mexican military
forces in Tamaulipas, Nueva Leon and
/ CO2lulla dL6 ouAAClSA-Ag Sans ~
| any order against COrsinas which the Fed
era authorities may issue, and Gen. Esco-
| bedo only awaits the summons for assist
| ance from the supreme civil authority to
act, with decision and energy, against the
| rObber.
1t is the opinion all along the border that
/ if CortiDas was once remOyed-hanged, as
| he richly deserves-there would be no fur
tber trouble from Mexican raids on the Rio
| Grande frontier.
MIR. Brantom thinks it impossible to es-
innate he actual losses sustained by the
rancheros between the Nueces and the hlo
Grande, by the depredatiOns Of the raiders.
! He thinks more than hundred and My
| lives have been lost, and at least lOO,OOU
head of cattle, besides heavy losses IN mer-
/ cbandise and household goods