No. 304.
Mr. Schuchardt to Mr. Hunter.
Piedras Negras, Mexico, Jan. 20, 1873. (Rec’d Feb. 15.)
Sir: Since this section of the country has returned to its constitutional condition, and the anti-revolution officials to their old positions, the lawless people also have returned to their old occupation—the stealing of cattle from Texas.
On the 13th instant a drove of 140 head of cattle was brought in by the custom-house guards, who stated that they had captured said cattle because those who conducted it had no custom-house documents to show that they had paid the duties, and that they escaped when these cattle were captured—consequently, these cattle were declared a legal seizure by the administrator of this custom-house; but Mr. Charles Virion and others from the Pendencia, some thirty miles below Eagle Pass, Texas, who claimed the said cattle as their property stolen from them, and who identified their respective brands, obtained it by paying $225 to the administrator for herders’ fees. To be able to pay this sum, the owners were obliged to sell their cattle here at $4 per head.
I have since received information from a reliable source that when the said cattle were seized the thieves also were captured, but turned loose [Page 708] again by the commandant of the custom-house guards. Against this act of the commandant the alcalde of Presidio de Rio Grande, in whose jurisdiction the thieves were taken prisoners, protested in a communication to the administrator of this custom-house.
On the 15th instant a second drove of 36 head of cattle were brought in. This was taken from the thieves, who escaped, by the agents of the alcalde of Presidio de Rio Grande, and sent in by him for the purpose to be returned to the owners, and, thus showing his good-will, induce the Texas authorities to do the same with stock stolen from Mexico and found on the American side of the Rio Grande. The said drove belonged also to the owners of the 140 head, and was returned to them together with the same.
Another drove was attempted to be crossed over from Texas; but the thieves, seeing themselves in the act of crossing it watched by the agents of the alcalde of Rio Grande, dispersed the cattle again on the Texas side.
The alcalde of Presidio de Rio Grande, (a town fourteen leagues below here,) who is an honest man, seems to make all efforts to stop these depredations of his lawless countrymen on citizens of the United States, but it is doubtful whether lie will earn the thanks, or even the approval, of his superiors for his zeal in this matter.
I am, &c.,
United States Commercial Agent.