No. 447.
Mr. Foster
to Mr. Fish.
Mexico, July 7, 1875. (Received July 22.)
Sir: On yesterday, in a visit which I made to the foreign office, I directed Mr. Lafragua’s attention to the telegraphic reports, received [Page 947] by the last steamer from the United States, of the continuance of trouble on the Rio Grande border in Texas, and of the re-enforcement of the United States Army and naval forces in that locality. I also called his attention to the fact that my Government had assigned the command of the Department of Texas to one of the most prudent and prominent generals of the Army; and that I deemed it very important that his Government should send to that frontier an officer of position and capacity, in the full confidence of his administration, and supported by a strong force of the federal army. If such a representation of the army and government was on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande, and in communication and co-operation with our troops, I was satisfied the border outlawry would soon cease. Mr. Lafragua conceded that my suggestion was entirely correct, but replied, as he has done on other occasions, that it was difficult for the government, in the disturbed condition of the country, to spare for that service either a prominent officer or a strong force of the army, but that it would meet the difficulty as far as it was possible. He said that he had confidence, however, that the arrest and removal of Cortina would have a great influence in diminishing the troubles; that, the leader being taken away, the outlaws would soon disperse and cease their depredations, and that peace would again be restored in that locality. I expressed to him my gratification at the arrest of Cortina, and stated that I had no doubt of its beneficial influence, especially if his removal was to be permanent; but that this act alone would not be sufficient to restrain the raids and plundering; that the border region could only be kept in order by the presence of a federal force under a prudent commander. Experience proved that the local authorities were, to a great extent, in sympathy with or overawed by the robbers, and their punishment could only be expected at the hands of federal officials under the direct orders of the supreme government. I remarked that should the depredations continue, and it should be apparent that no serious attempt was made by the Mexican authorities to restrain or punish the raiders, while I had no official information on the subject, a repetition of General McKenzie’s course might be anticipated. Protection to the citizens of Texas must be afforded; if not given by the Mexican government, it would come from the United States. Mr. Lafragua made no direct response to this latter intimation, but stated that his government would at least see that there was a change of Mexican officials on the Rio Grande and the troops in that quarter re-enforced as soon as possible.
I am, &c.,