No. 300.
Mr. Nelson to Mr.
Fish
No. 450.]
Legation of the United States, Mexico,
September 29, 1871. (Received October
13.)
Sir: On the 21st instant I addressed a note to Mr.
Mariscal, (A,) inclosing copies of a letter from General McCook, commanding
the United States forces at Fort Brown, Texas, addressed to the American
consul at Matamoras, and of a letter from the said consul to General
Palacios, Mexican commander of the line of the Rio Grande, both relating to
the alarming increase of a system of cattle-stealing by Mexican citizens on
the Texan frontier, which, in the opinion of the writers, will result, if
not speedily checked, in a predatory warfare eventually producing a conflict
between the two nations.
General McCook further states that General Juan N. Cortina, the local
military commander at Matamoras, is publicly charged with protecting the
marauders and receiving a portion of the spoils; for which reason, after
summarizing the opinions above expressed, and alluding to a record of
numerous criminal indictments against the said Cortina, obtained by General
McCook from various courts in Texas, and sent me by Consul Wilson, I
intimated that the presence of Cortina on the frontier at this time is
peculiarly unfortunate for the peace of the two countries. In this
connection, I called Mr. Mariscal’s attention to my note of the 6th of May
last, upon the similar case of the robbery of horses from Mr. Albert
Champion, repeating the language I then employed, under instructions from
the State Department, as to the probable consequences of such depredations,
and concluded by reminding the Mexican government that I still awaited the
results of the investigation promised in the said case of Mr. Champion.
At the same time, I addressed Mr. Mariscal an unofficial note, (B,) inclosing
and calling his attention to several Texas papers, containing articles upon
this subject; to which Mr. Mariscal replied in a confidential
[Page 662]
note, (C,) assuring me that
measures would be adopted tending to remedy that situation.
On the 22d instant, Mr. Mariscal addressed me a note, (D,) postponing to
another occasion his reply upon the subject of cattle stealing, but
inclosing four documents of the investigation into the case of Mr. Champion,
namely: a request made by Mr. Mariscal to the war department, (E,) for the
return of the said horses to Mr. Champion; the reply of General Mejia, (F,)
transcribing a statement of General Cortina to the effect that he had
returned a portion of the horses by virtue of a power of attorney from said
Champion; a note of Mr. Mariscal to the war department, (G,) requesting a
copy of such power of attorney; and another note from General Mejia, (H,)
inclosing the copy requested.
To these documents I add a translation of an article that recently appeared
in a paper of this city, (I,) defending General Cortina from the charges of
the Texan press.
In an interview which I have had with Mr. Mariscal for the purpose of urging
speedy and decisive action upon this subject, he remarked that the
President, upon reading my note and its inclosures, was profoundly impressed
with the gravity of the situation.
There is no doubt in my mind of an anxiety on the part of the government to
put a check to these lawless proceedings, but, unfortunately, the chief
difficulty arises from its want of power to enforce its mandates in States
remote from the capital.
I would earnestly suggest to the Government of the United States the pressing
necessity of arriving at some understanding with the government of Mexico,
such as will remove, or at least mitigate, the present alarming condition of
affairs upon the frontier.
Your obedient servant,
Hon. Hamilton Fish, Secretary
of State, Washington.
Inclosures.
A.—Mr. Nelson to Mr. Mariscal.
B.—Mr. Nelson to Mr. Mariscal, unofficial.
C.—Mr. Mariscal to Mr. Nelson, unofficial.
D.—Mr. Mariscal to Mr. Nelson.
E.—Mr. Mariscal to war department.
F.—War department to Mr. Mariscal.
G.—Mr. Mariscal to war department.
H.—War department to Mr. Mariscal.
I.—Extract from Monitor Republicano.
A.
Mr. Nelson to Mr.
Mariscal
Legation of the United States,
Mexico,
September 21, 1871.
Sir: I inclose a copy of a communication from
General A. McD. McCook, commanding the United States forces at Fort
Brown, dated August 2, 1871, addressed to the United States consul at
Matamoras, and also a copy of a communication addressed by the said
consul to General Miguel Palacios, the Mexican commander on the line of
the Rio Grande, dated August 3, both of which relate to the system of
cattle stealing that prevails on the northern frontier, which, if not
speedily checked, may, in the opinion
[Page 663]
of General McCook and of the said consul, lead to
predatory warfare on either side of the line, eventually producing a
conflict between the two nations.
The excitement upon this subject is intense and increasing, and the
offenders appear to be left in perfect impunity by the Mexican
authorities. Indeed, it is alleged that they receive the protection of
the Mexican General Cortina, whose antecedents, as proven by documents
in my possession, render his presence on the frontier at this time
peculiarly unfortunate for the peace of the two countries.
In this connection I beg leave to call your excellency’s attention to my
note of the 6th of May last, addressed to Mr. Aspiroz, and take this
occasion to repeat most earnestly the language I was then instructed by
my Government to employ, namely, “that the frequency of acts of this
kind, and the virtual impunity of the offenders, would seem to demand
some more efficient check than any which the treaties between the two
countries afford. It is obviously for the interest of both countries
that the government of each should do whatever may be in its power
toward restraining and discouraging such lawless proceedings, and it is
hoped that the Mexican government may take efficient steps for that
purpose. If, however, no such steps should be taken, it may become
difficult to prevent retaliation by raids of armed parties from Texas
into Mexico, which could not fail to peril the peaceful relations on the
border.”
I would further remind your excellency that I am still awaiting, with
great interest, the communication of the results of the investigation in
the said case of Albert Champion, which was promised by Mr. Aspiroz in
his note of the 9th of May last.
I improve this occasion again to renew to your excellency the assurance
of my very high consideration.
His Excellency Ignacio Mariscal, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mexico.
B.
[Unofficial.]
Mr. Nelson to Mr.
Mariscal
Legation of the United States,
Mexico,
September 21, 1871.
My Dear Mr. Mariscal: I send you some
newspapers, recently received from Texas, containing articles relating
to cattle stealing on the border, and the extraordinary conduct of
General Cortina, to which I invite your attention.
Very truly yours,
C.
Mr. Mariscal to Mr. Nelson
Private.]
Mexico, September 23, 1871.
My Dear Mr. Nelson: I received your letter of
the 21st instant, with the accompanying newspapers from Texas, relative
to cattle stealing on the border. The attention of the President has
been called to that subject, and some measures will be adopted tending
to remedy that situation.
Very truly yours,
D.
[Translation.]
Mr. Mariscal to Mr. Nelson
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Mexico,
September 22, 1871.
Sir: I have had the honor to receive your
excellency’s note of yesterday, with its inclosures, relating to
accusations of cattle stealing, said to have taken place on the frontier
of Tamaulipas, in which connection your excellency repeats the statement
[Page 664]
which, by order of your
Government, you made on the subject to this ministry in your note of the
6th of May last, and also informs me that you await with great interest
the result of the investigation in the case of Albert Champion.
Reserving for another occasion my reply upon the subject of cattle
stealing, to which the inclosures and papers accompanying your note
refer, and complying with your wishes in regard to the case of Mr.
Champion, I have the pleasure of inclosing the most recent
communications that have been exchanged in reference to the complaints
of the party interested.
I take pleasure in renewing to your excellency, upon this occasion, the
assurances of the very distinguished consideration with which I am your
excellency’s obedient servant,
His Excellency Thomas H. Nelson, &c.,
&c., &c.,
Mexico.
E.
[Translation.]
Mr. Mariscal to War Department
Citizen Minister of War: As it appears from the
report of General Cortina, which you have sent me, dated the 12th
instant, concerning the robbery of some horses from Mr. Albert Champion,
that only a portion of these horses were returned to him; you will
please order the return of the remaining horses, and that the
fulfillment of this order be forthwith reported.
Independence and liberty!
F.
[Translation.]
War Department to Mr. Mariscal
Citizen Minister of Foreign Affairs: General
Juan N. Cortina, commanding the first brigade of Tamaulipas, in a
dispatch of the 19th instant, writes me as follows: “In reply to your
note of the 27th ultimo, I have to inform you that as I have no horses
belonging to Mr. Champion in my possession, I cannot return any to him;
since, although it is true that I returned him some of those which he is
alleged to have lost, it was because they were in possession of certain
persons who had bought them, and, through the influence of some of my
friends, I succeeded in obtaining them, and ordered them to be delivered
to the said Champion, by virtue of a power of attorney which that
foreigner gave me to act for him in the recovery of the horses.”
And I have the honor to transcribe the above to you, in reply to and as
the result of your dispatch on this subject, of the 23d of June
last.
Independence find liberty!
G.
[Translation.]
Mr. Mariscal to War Department
Citizen Minister of War: I have received your
dispatch of the 31st ultimo, in which you have transcribed the report
made to you by General Juan N. Cortina, concerning the robbery of horses
from the American, Champion.
For the satisfactory termination of this question, you will please
request of General Cortina a copy of the power of attorney to which he
refers in his dispatch, recognized by Champion, and legalized by some
judge or notary public.
Independence and liberty!
[Page 665]
H.
[Translation.]
War Department, Mexico, September 11, 1871.
Citizen Minister of Foreign Affairs: The
citizen General Juan N. Cortina, commanding the first brigade of
Tamaulipas, in a dispatch dated the 28th of August last, writes me as
follows:
“I have the honor to send you a copy of the power of attorney which the
foreigner, Champion, gave me in order to recover nine horses, which some
bandits had robbed from him in the State of Texas.”
And I have the honor to transmit the above in reply to and as the result
of your dispatch on the subject, dated August 5, inclosing herewith a
copy of the said power of attorney.
Independence and liberty!
[Untitled]
Brownsville,
February 13,
1871.
My Dear Sir: The nine horses that were
robbed from me were of the following colors and marks: (Description
of the horses.) These nine horses were stolen on the night of the
7th instant, at the post of Las Torrenas, and I shall be infinitely
obliged to you if you will, as you offered, undertake to find where
they are and return them to me, for which service you will ever
receive the gratitude of—
Your obedient servant,
ALBERT CHAMPION.
General Juan N. Cortina.
A true copy of the original. Matamoras, August 28, 1871.
[seal.]
LEANDRO RAMIREZ, Notary
Public.
I.
[Translation.]
GENERAL JUAN N. CORTINA.
For some time past the press of Brownsville has labored to discredit this
Mexican patriot by the grossest calumnies. We are not surprised at this
vile conduct, for we know the motives which the Brownsville editors have
for blackening his fame. General Cortina is well known on the frontier
as the bitterest enemy of the confederates of that part of Texas, where
it is known that our countrymen enjoy no protection, and are often
barbarously assassinated after the burning of their property.
The perpetrators of such murders have sometimes crossed the frontier in
order to commit new depredations in our country, and General Cortina,
being informed in time, has caught them in the act, and without pity has
ordered them to be hung or shot as malefactors. The Brownsville press,
on such occasions, has been filled with insults and menaces against all
Mexicans, and particularly against General Cortina. At such times the
most exaggerated rumors have been set afloat, announcing grave questions
at issue between Mexico and the United States; the absorption of our
country by the great republic; fabulous claims of Americans; and the
magical appearance of two hundred or three hundred thousand negroes on
our frontier whenever and however these turbulent prophets may
choose.
But what most surprises us is that there are Mexican newspaper writers
who have formed an alliance with those of Brownsville to attack the
Fronterizo, an independent paper published at Matamoras, which honorably
and bravely defends the rights of our countrymen residing in Texas, who
are, as this colleague asserts, made victims in their persons and
property of notorious abuses by our neighbors. Is it because the
Fronterizo is in favor of the re-election? or is it because it defends
General Cortina from unjust attacks and infamous calumnies? Is it
necessary now to insult this meritorious citizen through the agency of
our neighbors? because he has employed his numerous friendships upon the
frontier for the triumph of Mr. Juarez? Really, it is deplorable that
any one should allow himself to be carried by party spirit to such an
extreme. We regret it; for in such conduct we see nothing noble or even
decent.
[Page 666]
As to these attacks upon General Cortina, we will content ourselves at
present with copying the following from the Brownsville Sentinel:
“The Fronterizo alleges that when, during the civil war, General Cortina
was military commandant of the State of Tamaulipas, he treated the
Americans courteously, kindly, and with moderation; not even molesting
his personal enemies. General Cortina undoubtedly deserves all that is
said in his favor in this respect. There were then many millions of
dollars of American property on the Mexican side, and there was full
protection for persons and interests.”—Monitor
Republicano, September 27, 1871.