The New York herald., 1876-03-02
What the Texas People
Want.
FACTS ABOUT THE MEXICAN RAIDS.
Spectators Think There's Mill.
ions in It."
YAsnrSa1or. March l. 1s7

famed NOBODY was ready 10 say but one might near OF
surveys made, OF maps drawn, OF boundary lines
accurately laid down and every few weeks West
crn journal contained story OF immense but myser-
claims by American citizens against Mexico. which
the government, 1t was limited, would assume and
Mexico could not pay dozen twenty or forty mill
ions all at once, it further whispered that this
government stood ready oreclose on large slice OF
Mexican territory by way OF payment
SPECULATION THIS WOOD PILB.
! For long time these reports were regarded
simply wild and absurd but some circumstances that
have recently become known show that they rest upon
very pretty speculation upon the crcdulity of West
ern grangcrs In May, 1872, Congress authorized
mission TO proceed to Texas and there investigate the
condition and oil tho border troubles This
commission mace two repors-one IN December, 1872,
the other In June, 1s73-and these reports asserted
claims against Mexico for cattle raids other
RACES by Mexicans upon Amorcans to the huge OF
s4S 2S5 25 OF which s44 AS 4S under tho
head OF losses by cattle raids. 1t seems to have
Cured to the Commissioners the chief OF whom was
Mr. Thomas J. Robb just appearing the surface
again in this vicinity, that they had 'ptled it up
little noun aneously" )" and in their last report they
confess that their accounts made up not only OF
actual but also OF contingent secondary and construc
losses, and that the real losses could not be made
10 foot up TO more than between $11, ooO 900 and
SIS, ,oO0 O0O
The report did not attract much attention Nobody
wants to so with Mexico and the
border is far away; and, II one may
believe respectable Texans here, Mr..
Robb's Investigations and the OF his
report were so dsiasteful the Texans themselves
that Mr. Robb's little bill against Mexico sumbered
appeared to. Lately, however have been informed
that in different parts OF the West aud notably in and
about Chicago claim agents are trying to sell to cred
ulous persons stock or bond representing these
claims II that Ingenious 6nanccr has made
himself the agent for the whole of these claims;
has put their gross amount into bond payable when
the United States assumes them and grabs piece
of Mexico, and is selling his bonds for ten cents
the dollar Offering in instance which has
under my knowledge take full value
for the bonds at ten cents or course this Is prom
Using speculation to the persons who have issued tho
bonds; but you would do service to some creduous
people II you would tell them that the bonds are
and never will be worth the paper they printed
BORDER orrRAGBs
committee OF the House OF Representatives to In
vestgate the border raids has been sitting for
time and has closed its labors Its chairman is
Mr.. Gustav scheicher, who represents in Congress
district which includes the whole of the border
troubles and is therefore familiar with the whole
question, besides being of uncommon ability.
He has summoned before the committee a large
Der of witnesses, and their testimony will be printed
a few days
THREE IMPORTANT POINTS
Three important points appear in this testimony
which upon the claims asserted by the Robb Com
mission ana upon the swindle OF selling bonds based
on these claims, which somebody Is perpetrating or
trying to-
First-The Texans who appeal to the government
for protection make no claims for damages.
Second-They do not want a with Mexico; but,
on the contrary desire the protection they ask
means of avoiding hostilities.
Th,rd-They do not want to acquire any Mexican ter
ritory, but the contrary would dcplorc the grab
proposed; because as some OF them say in convcrsa-
tion they do want the population should have
take In and don't to the robJer chief Cor
tina make his appearance the United Senate
1t Is further significant fact that the committee
have not thought it worth while call Mr. Robb or
either OF his fellow Commissioners before them, and
that General Sheridan gave such testimony about
establishing a boundary line has been
ported.
THE STORY OF Tue BORDER RAIDS.
The facts developed in the testimony which the
committee will make its report show that the raids
regularly organized expeditions OF bandits, or robbers
from the Mexican side, having for their object the
stealing Of cattle aud murder and robbery in general
The bandits, who bad long been favored and inspired
by General Cortina whenever he had power,
not unirequenty ride $50 miles into Texas to
capture and drive out cattle The Mexican federal
government has not strength enough to guard the
border aud drive back and puGish Its robber class II
ii should regular troops for this purpose they
would desert has happened If IL should authorize
levy OF militia and them these would fall into the
hands OF revolutionary chiefs and internal dis
orders The robber bands, finding immunity their
own country, have rapidly increased IN numbers and
organization, and have carried thcir stock raids to
such extent that Matamoros, Monterey and other
Mexican border almost entirely supplied with
the beo Of stolen American cattle. II in evidence
that the price OF beef in these places is often affected
ruled by the supply OF stolen Texas cattle brought
in by the bandits and that on some occa-
/ sions Cortina has even shipped such stolen
cattle to Cuba Captain McNally, who commanded
! for time troop of Texan cavalry deputed by
the Governor guard part OF the border declares in
/ his testimony that induccmeut would pay him to
the risks OF murder which hang pcrpotually over
the American rancheros whose cattle feed within hty
or sixty miles of the border He would think himself
far safer commander OF troops acting against the
! Mexican bandits.
NO AMERICAN RAIDERS
II is also shown by the most trustworthy witnesses,
/ among them General Ord, who commands tho bor-
der, that there Texan raids into Mexico The
hexcan country along the border poor tempt
our people retaliation. Il contains few cattle
/ and but few sheep or goats 1t Is understood
here that the Mexican Minister, who has been seeking
evidence this head has been able to establish
single case of rad by American citizens into Mexico.
1t is shown that the Mexican authorities give
dress TO American sufferers from these raids that
the bandits are known the Mexican side, live pub.
licy on their plunder and, though disliked by the
pcaceabc citizens, have political influence and physical
power enough to make themselves dreaded by their
own people. The respectable part Of the Mexican peo
! pie regard them outlaws
THE Foley TO RECOMMENDED.
All the witnesses concur in the opinion that poo
pie expect no relief from the Mexican government
II also certain that the border thoroughly