The New York herald., 1877-07-05
Texans Massing Their Claims Against
Mexico for TheftS Of Stock.
MILLIONS S IN 1T.
Evidence Of Systematic Robbery, with the
Aid Of Mexican Officials
1T MUST BE STOPPED

II is certainly secret Western Tcxas or in San
Antonio its principal city, that the stock rasers are
busily engaged in putting their claims for ndemninca-
tiop for losses sustained the hands OF Mexican
rauders in proper shape for presentation 10
shc Washington authorities. Some legal nrms advertise
that they make this character of business speciality
II il at present impossible TO even guess with any do
gree OF certainty what sum these claims will amount
10 10 the aggregate but be less than several
millions There are legal gentlemen who represent
individually hundreds OF thousands Of dollars which
,hcv seem 70 have but little doubt will DO paid In
whole or in part by tho Mexican government Tho
LAWYERS and those they represent are using great
diligence to get their claims put in proper legal form,
and tho inference that there time TO lose, as the
Washington only waiting Tor these said
claims to lay them before the Mexican government In
support OF certain demands to be made very soon.
HOW STARTED.
About threc or four months ago the Mexican
naudapt at Saltllo Charles, began to display by his
,acaI acts most malignant spirit toward the Amcri-
fans. General Ord had consummated arrangements
similar 10 those contained in the recent order from
Tho secretary Of War; by virtue OF which the Ameri-
can troops by aud occasional cooperation OF
the local Mexican authorities followed bands OF
rauders on fresh trail across the Rio Grando into
Mexico and recovered from them horses and cattle
thew had stolen on the American side Of the river.
But Mr. Charles soon put stop to all
this Ho ever went far as TO officially
notify the alcaldes OF tho Mexican towns on
the Rio Grande they expected to arrest and
shoot forthwith any Mexican giving aid or comfort in
any manner, shape or form TO United States soldiers
pursung.thieves on Mexican SOIL Two Mexcans who
had acted as traers scouts 10 C0lene Shafter when
he was following band Of thieves on Mexican soi'
wcre arrested by order of this Don Bombastes Furioso
and threatened with death at the town OF Piedras
Negras Opposite Eagle Pass, Fort Duncan), and, al
though very little mention was made Off at the time,
tho bombardmcnt and occupation OF the town by the
American forces was only avcrtod by the removal Of
the threatened prisoner during the night to the in.
terror where fortunately made his escape and re-
turned inside OF the American lines.
how THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT PUT ITS FOOT IN IT.
Tn 10 this time 10 had boon the nvarable excuse OF
the authorities when called to account for tho
continual raidng and punderng on THIS siae oi the
responsible Indians residing IN Mexico, and that they,
the cxican authorities wsre willing 10 suppress these
disorders but unable to do so. But, when this
Mexican official officially notified his subordinates to
render possible aid to thieves returning from Texas
and TO iro upon any Americans attempting to cross
the boundary line IN pursuit. he unwttlngly made
his government responsible for all the losses SUB
sequcnty sustained oy % sne ieaans isa, AZ .nS me
90 order q matter oil record AZ soon as General
Ord obtained information OF what the Mexican COVER
nor ~ Satlo had done, with his usual public spirit
The General commanding semi officially, through the
columns OF the San Antonio Herald informed the
stock men that would be 10 their advantage 10 keep
accurate statistics Of their losses through Mexican
bsndtti, rs the Mexican government would have ID y
shadowiug the crisis which IS now AZ hand. great
many Of stock men acted upon this hint. aud con-
scetiousy charged up TO our sister Republic all the
losses they have sustained since that time
sCnLEicHER, HAYES AND EvARTs TO BLAME FoR 1T.
Scarcely had Mr.. Hayes taken mis- seat before IL
began to be whispered all over Western Texas that
sherc to be change in the policy Of the govern
toward Mexico; that tnis lime honored custom
N drawing rcxas tor supplies Of horses TO ride and
BEET to crow fat would longer tc tolerated; tina:
Secretary Evarts would not ameIy permit the Amer.
:an citizen be robbed murdered anu eered at BY
aordc Of mongrel starvciipgs was the
custom OF his amablc predecessor that the command
ing general OF the Department oil Texas would not be
tied hand and foot with red lape-in Short that the
time had arrived when the United states would
demand indemnify for tho past and security for good
conduct In future. That such is the policy OF tho
present administration is an opinion that has become
UNIVERSAL and the result Is tna Mr.. Hayes Is to-day
the popular man ei Western Texas.
MORE ABOUT THOSE CLAIMS.
II Is hardly probable that shrewd lawyers would put
themselves the great expense and trouble OF COL
lectlng the requisite aiaav.s depostons certificates
tanned II they did not know that II was going to pay.
The fact is this universal movement OF the stockmcn
has IT'S origin in Washington city. The lswycrs In
teested In these are IN continual correspondence
with parties Washington. 1t is unnecessary this
letter TO elaborate the extent OF the robbcies that
have been ommitted Tho modus opsrdndi by which
the Texans have been systematically robbed Tor
many years past. Tho interviews WITH Colonel
obvIac the necessity OF going over that ground again.
II. may, however, uot be amss In illustrating Tho
strue-lnwardness OF Mexican officials 10 state that
private letters to which your correspondent has had
eccsss from gentlemen dong business Mexico tbut
their interest 10 state not only confirm all that has
ecn stnted Official reports regarding this horse and
oaiiio stealing business source OF supply 10 the
Mexican towns. 0ut also give the names OF towns
whore tho acades and gefes potiticos have
for years levied regular tax on tho
droves oil stolen horsos and cattle passing
thieves q kind Of Custom House clearance
on STAMPED and sealed government paper, which Is
regarded Official recognition OF ownership no
could 20 behind These letters show beyond dispute
tho actual deprrdators were, for the most part
paid agents oil wealthy employers, some OF them living
lar in the interior Zacatccas san Luis Poos
70 that after military commentaries gave their
oreda,ors the local interests in inc keeping up The
suppy OF stock will have to 10 met 10 some way by
Inc central government TO enable the troops 10 find
any who ever saw Texas horse or steer In
Mexico The drivers OF the stolen animals will be,
they have been, followed by special messengers and
oo,incd that troops following, thus giving
Tho marauders ample time 10 take 10 the
mountains otherwise evaJc capture Perhaps
when the central government at the CITY OF Mexico Is
made understand that these stolen horses and
We have to be paid for the higher Mexican officials Will
be able TO bring pressure to bear or local authorities
haI will make the business upprohtsbc In the event
nc Mexican authorities are unable 10 bring ABOUT this
much desired nation they may feel themselves
constrained say TO the United States, 1--WE cannot
control these people, come on and see II you can do H.
WHAT PRESIDENT HAYES Is EXPECTED TO DO.
Your correspondent convcrsed yesterday with
large capitalist gentleman OF enlarged progressive
views. who bias studied the Mexican question closely
for many years, personal. friend OF Congressman
schIeicher and well posted to what is transpirpg
81 Washington 10 the question: 'What does the
ministration expect Of Mcxicoy" his answer as
follows :-"ln The first place these Claims VIII
have TO DC adjusted. do refer those
pDsurd claims that were proven ny, to. spesk.
before the Robb COMMISSION, IL 1872 but the clam.
that are beng placed Ia proper shape TOR tho
Washington authorities 90 act on, The pout that
will be insisted on IN that the rsds cease.
last. but most important OF bll. American
ekgcd In mining and other enterprises, IN the Border
bstes OF Mexico In particular must be protected from
exactious Of the Mexican officials and the violence OF
lo1Dr cassea
How THE AMBRlCAN FLAG rs RESPECTED ~ MEXICO.
To your CORES spondents inquiry II Americans were
treated differently IRON the citizens other countries,
my informant answered warmly that they were;
stat tho Mexicans understood very well that he
United States did not protect It's citizens. and they
eIst. knew very well that Germany, France aud Eng
land did. II will give you nn usraton," continued
my informant Last year Que OF Lcrdc's oiic 10
pfoceoced TO levy prtsfdmO liOrced oaE) at Santa