New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-05-25
OUR SAN ANTONIO LETTER.
Condition of Affairs ON the Rio (srande-
What Military Men Say About the
Sttaati0n-The Military TeleRraph.

CONDITION OF Affairs on the Rio (srande-
What Military Men Say About the
Sitaafton-The Military TELEGRAPH.
San ANTONIO, May ls, 1875.
AT the risk Of being considered sen.
satlonal, must state most unequivocally,
that the complications on the Rio Grande
are OF the gravest character, and unless
prompt action is taken by tho central au.
thorities at the City of Mexico actual war
will not be delayed much longer. l have
the positive expression of opinion upon
The views and deduction of those who are
best able to judge, and who have no pos
sible motive to exaggerate the gravity of
the situation.
The truth is, that unless something is
done, either by Governor Coke or President
Grant, the Nueces river will be the boun
dairy line between the two republics. The
Rio Grande has become already Mexican
river. But to facts.
In my special about week ago referred
to the arrival of Generals Hatch and Davis.
the former, General Edward Hatch, being
the officer in command at Ringgold Bar
AoShSs WIZ OdhO AL CJuuSU Win lAO CANII
authorities on this side of the river,
through his zeal in Furnishing marauders
and horse thieves who we're backed up by
their friends and abettors in official posi-
ton on our side, SD to speak. The testi
mOny of these officers and gentlemen
of high standing can not be i'm
peached, and is sustained and cor
roborated by the statements of Bishop
Manucy, the Catholic prelate, whose juris-
dictiOn extends from Brownsville to Ell
Paso, on the American side, and who is at
present in our city. l have conversed with
others, men of influence living on the Rio
Grande, who were unwilling that their
names should appear IN print as giving in
formation to the Grin Cos, for fear they
would be singled ont by the knife of the
assassin On their return.
These gentlemen agree substantially that
the only solu ton to these perpetually re.
curing reigns of terror to Americans on
the Rio Grande is to cut the Gordian knot
by the United States taking forcible posses
sion of the opposite bank of the Rio Grande.
1t is now already unsafe for Americans
to live in the vicinity of the Rio Grande,
and hundreds of families have abandoned
their homes and ranches, and are now
camping out on the Nueces river. The men
who brought to the Americans the first
news of the last contemplated raid have
been assassinated. l learn this from Gen
eral Hatch himself. The population on
this bank of the river ia an intensely
Mexican in sympathy and feeling as
it is in race, and are only too willing to
lend q helping hand to glut their tradi-
tiOnal hate of the American. The United
States troops are few in number and very
much scattered. The juries and justices on
this side of the river are for the most part
Mexicans in full unison and cOnsort with the
authorities on the Mexican side, who are
partakers of the plumber stolen from Texas.
When the Mexican authorities make pre-
tence of arresting the red handed bandits,
who have just returned from some foray
into Texas, they are released because they
claim to be Texans, and once on this side of
the river they claim immunity as Mexican
citizens.
This brief statement of the condition of
things will make Ineligible how it comes
that the driving of Texas cattle into Mexico
is carried on without interruption. II the
United States officers succeed in overtaking
the thieves before they can cross the magic
stream, and attempt to punish them, they
come in direct conflict with the civil authori-
ties. There are several indictments
against General Hatch for murder, the
having been committed by
his soldiers in self-detense when fired ON
by Mexican bandits. There are United
States soldiers in prison now on the
charge of numbering Mexi-
can, who was killed By the thieves them
selves.
OF course these proceedings will amount
to nothing ultimately, but they answer the
present purpose of the Mexican authorities
very well-that is. to encourage the thieves !
to steal stock In Texas to sell in Mexico.
Probably before this reaches you you |
will be informed by telegraph that the
United States government has ordered |
heavy achievements to the Rio Grande.
At present there is very little of interest
in the ancient city of San An
,onio de Bexar. General Augur is in town
md will remain here for about ten days.
Sor General Augur the San Antonians have
he liviliest sentiments Of affection, his long
tay of four years as commander
# this department, with headquar-
ers at San Antonio, having given
'ur people abundant opportunity to become
acquainted with his many virtues and high
ocial qualities. Our regret at his depart
ire, however, has been mitigated by favor
bile Impressions produced by his successor,
General Ord, who is winning golden opin-
ons from all those with whom he is thrown
D contact. To him it is in a great measure
ne that the establishment of military
epOt at this city has become fixed fact.
The government has let out a contract
Or furnishing the telegraph poles for the
ntire line of the frontier military telegraph
rom this point to the Rio Grande via the
arious posts. The contract price for fur
ishing the poles is 81 Is per pole. Recent
vents have made the speedy construction
f this telegraph military necessity.
This afternoon the City Council has &C
epted the proposition Of the New York
Tational Waterworks, and within year
lis great modern improvement is to 90
ito operation. BEXAR
eat of Justice. Parish of LfvingstOn- ,
Action Of the Police Jury.
PORT VINCENrl |
Livingston parish, La, May II, 1875 )
A called session of the police Jury, by pc