The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-23
Representative Sohleicher in Re-
Spouse to Mr.. Lerdo.
TaR FACTS or TIE ID GRANDR RAIDS.
COrtina'S War Of 1859 and Its Effects
On American Citizens.
LOSSES RESULTING FROM CATTLE STEALING.
The "Counter Commission" Met
and Answered.

WASHINGTON. June q, 1877.
70 Fx1 xplron or rHn HKxALp:-
In yesterdays HERALD and The report OF lengthy
interview with Mr. Lerdo dc Tsada In which that dis.
tinguished gentleman while giving his views on the
questions LACEY aci.sted regard TO Mexico takes
oason the substance Of the statements
recently made by regard to the Mexican raids INTO
Texas which finally, after eleven years Of inacton,
have called the order Of the present Secretary OF
War to General Ord, widely discussed and 80 unan
mously approved by the sentiment Of our people,
What Mr. Lerdo has TO say against the cession
OF territory or against aggressive measures. as
proposed by part OF the press, with the view
to the occupation OF Northern Mexico by
the United States, Ia perfectly natural from
his standpoint That part OF tho controversy Is
between him and the HyRALDs Cincinnati correspond
sn,. myself have made no such proposition. Per-
hapsit will b remembered that repeatedly took
casion to speak With great respect OF Mr. Lerdos gov
eminent Us having been the best which Mexico has
enjoyed for long time, and think l have TO some
extent been instrumental in influencing public opinion
in his favor therefore hesitate 10 controvert his
views but must do SO where he attempts TO throw
dscredit on the overwhelming aud undeniable proofs
Dfthe Mexican r0bbcries which have called forth the
ate action OF our administration As an aspirant to
The rc-occupation OF the Mexican Presidential char,
rhich he has occupied with honor and credit 10 himself
and with beneficial results to his country Mr.. Lsrdo
mas my sympathcs, and am disposed to make much
allowance for his peculiar situation, which may lead
him to atter only the justhable pride, but even
the vanity, OF his nation; but apologst OF
tho robbers on the Mexican borders he appears in
character altogether different, and must say that
1t is not without . painful sensation that
I q gentleman OF hts character assume
that part In the various garing msstatements into
which Mr.. Lerdo permits himself TO be led do not
charge him with wilfu misreprcsent He Is evil
IDENTIFY entirely ignorant Of the state OF things IN that
locality 1t Is NO disphragement for our best states
the United States are ignorant OF the peculiar
condition Of that far away frontiers nor is Mr. Lerdo's
ignorance Of that border any surprising when we
consider that il Is BY the Mexican Of the city looked
upon rs the ultima thule Of their geography.
HOW aR. LERDo
But tho great trouble In this whole matter has
always been in the fact that the Mexican government
has always TO rely and relied the reports
tho local authorities the border who subssted and
became rich these very robbcres and who are rep.
resented by our consuls, commercial agents and all
citizens who had any dealings with them as tho
leading spirits In tho robberies. quote from the
port OF the Congressional committee Of February 20,
1876 every statement Of which report is based upon
the strongest evidcnce:-
.'There is no doubt" says the American Consul at
Monterey, whose letter 10 found IN tho appendix hat
the raids entirely owing TO the domoralized
don OF the OF the people OF Tamaulpas and the
class OF who hold Office IN that State. This IL
substantatsd by all the evidence. Tho officials when
called upon for redress profuse In promises
followed by performance They find tho robbery
source of profit, and If they find that they
tnue this profitable stale Of things by lying and dplo
matte correspondence they WILL as matter Of course,
do IT. and the federal government has no agency but
theirs, and acts to suit them"
These the niormants from whom Mr.. Lerdo,
when he in power. has derived his Inform ation 1t
would lead too tar to 60 into details but the Pc
rusal Of the report mentioned and the wisdom co.,
nected with it Will convince the sceptical "rhc
commandant at Mler," says General Ord in his evil
dence of the notorious cattle raiders
bandits in the country Colonel Christie, whose false
reports wore shown to Mir. Foster by the Mexican
Minister OF Foreign Affairs reliable documents. was
der at Aatanoros and VIGOROUSLY engaged In
the robberics.
While this ignorance OF facts, which will presently
prove and for which have gwen the reason and ex
cuse, places DIR. Lerdo at disadvantage OF which
avail myself only with reluctance has tho other
hand tho advantage that II leaves the whole field OF
Inauguration open Tor him to draw irom while connne
myself TO the record which. however, 20 large pnd
considerable part Of II IN communication ike this.
Those who really want information can lind Il in tho
report evidence referred 10 overpowering and IN
controvertbe And this report treats only oil the rob-
berries on the Lower Rio Grande while similar regu
Rio Grande by Indians barbored in Mexico and which
was temporarily stopped only by our own Troops under
Colonel Mackenzie.
THE CoIrisA WAR
Nr. Lerd0 begins MS statement as follows:--
'Mr. Schleicher, member Of Congress from Texas,
states that the alleged nrUads OF Mexicans the
Lerdo says II might easily bc shown that he Is tar
from being accurate as the raids aud counter RAIDS
now SO much Complained OF by Mexlcans, had thor
origin away back IN the year 1885, when Cortina rst
made himself The enemy OF both countries BY ms un-
justabe aid boodthrsly career along both banks OF
the Rio Grande."
In the report OF the Congressional Committee, OF
which was chairman say on page 81
rhe history OF the present racs be said 70 have
commenced with the Cortina war IN 1869 and 1907
report oil MAJOR Heintzsman, Unlted States Army.
hat that Cortina was considered tue enemy Of both
countries by his ooodthrsy career on 0oth banks OF
the RIO Grunde cannot be discovered. Tho snort
tracts from MAJOR Hentzrlnan's olicla report viii DO
sufficient to characterize that part OF the statemcn
We find Major Heintzelmnn saying
scortlna was now a great mau. He had defeated
the gringos' and hs position WAS impregnabep he
had the Mexican flag lying IN his camp and numbers
were focxing TO his standard when no VISITED Maia-
he received The champion OF his race, as
Inc man who would right the wrongs OF the Mexicans
and drive back the hated AmercaDs 10 the Nueccs y
Also another quotation -
GHOST Of his arms, ammunition and supplies to
maintain his forces Tor so many months came rom
Mexico and principally from Matamoros. Most of tue
were pelados' from the towns and ranches along
the R,o Grande On the hexscan side he always found
market Tor HIS plumber. No Was styled IN orders
General ell Gcie and went about with body guard
After Cortinas defeat in Texas By Major Helntzei-
nan somo oil our troops went ACROSS The hi0 Grdnde,
anu when tho Mexican general then commanding pro-
tested, General henzcnan wrote in letter W him =:
"Aftsr his tCoruuas) defeat, US above stated, he
bed Tor safety TO the Mexican side OF and
there found H. He was received with sympathy. He
then allowed TO remain ana recruit his forccs,
m ID q
tunity 10 mako another attack Tns attack he maue
By rEg across the river, mortally wounding man Of
our troops and briug upon The steamboat
Il will DO tina: there is want vi accuracy
on our aide. Mr. Lerdo's accuracy In stating that
Cortina ravaged both banks Of the river and
enemy alike 70 the people on both sides, the light
OF the above quotations does not seem quite clear,
particularly whom We remember thai tho government
OF Mr.. Juarcz ana Of Mr.. Lerdo made him br.gadier
general OF the army Of Mexico and COMMANDER OF
Matarnoros not long aiterward. the report OF
committee referring TO these facts remarks:--