No. 383.
Mr. de
Zamacona to Mr. Evarts.
[Translation.]
Legation of
Mexico in the United States,
Washington, June 8, 1878.
(Received June 11.)
Mr. Secretary: Early last month, while the
undersigned was still acting as confidental agent of the Mexican Government,
he had the
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honor to call the
attention of the Department of State, in personal conferences with the
Assistant Secretary of State, to the preparations which were being made in
some parts of Texas to disturb public order in the districts on the Mexican
frontier; and he even left a written note in which were mentioned certain
persons who were implicated in the machination, and various places where
arms were deposited. The legation, at the head of which I have since been
placed, likewise had the honor to address a note, about the same time, to
the Department of State, in relation to the same matter, and received a
reply dated May 7, in which it was informed that measures had been taken to
prevent and (the case arising) to punish any violation of the neutrality
laws.
Subsequent occurrences have shown that the foundation of these reports was
not imaginary. During the past two weeks various parties of men, enlisted
and armed in Texas, have crossed from that State to the territory of Mexico,
creating local disorders which will not extend to the interior of the
country, but which may exert a pernicious influence in the frontier
districts. The facts to which I refer are proved by official telegrams which
the ministry of foreign relations has communicated to this legation, and of
which I transmit a copy. I also inclose (with a translation) a note which
the ministry of foreign relations of Mexico sent me by the last mail, and
which was addressed to the commercial agent of Mexico at San Antonio by the
military commandant of the line to which the threatened districts belong.
Said note refers to recent cases in which the Mexican side of the Rio Grande
has been invaded by armed men from Texas, the circumstances being stated
that among those who have crossed to Mexican territory, and who have
disturbed order and committed depredations and other outrages there, are
several citizens of the United States, whose names are given.
The inclosures to this note agree, in the main, with the reports which the
newspapers have been publishing here recently, not only in respect to the
movement of revolutionists and marauders from Texas to Mexico, but to the
regular organization and enlistment of this class of men in that State.
Among other newspapers, the National Republican, of this city, published, on
the 4th instant, a dispatch dated the day previous, at San Antonio, and
referring to the enlistments that were taking place there for the purpose of
disturbing the peace on the Mexican frontier, and especially to a party that
had left the day before with that object.
The Government of Mexico instructs me to call the attention of the Department
of State to these facts, expressing the hope that fresh orders will be
issued calculated to render more efficient the measures referred to in the
note with which the Department of State was pleased to honor this legation
on the 7th ultimo.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1.—Translation.]
Gen. Candles to the
commercial agent of Mexico at San
Antonio.
mexican republic.—military line of the
states of san luis potosi, tamaulipas, and vera cruz.
General-in-Chief: Early in the morning of the
27th, the troops enlisted in Texas by Escobedo, Mauray, and other
Lerdist chiefs, crossed the Rio Grande at various points.
A detachment of the Matamoros garrison gave battle to a force of 100 of
the invaders, and succeeded in dispersing them, taking several
prisoners. Another body which was coming to attack this place stopped to
plunder the ranches on the way, and
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to rob the travelers they met on the high roads.
The wagon-train of Mr. Indalecio Garcia, which they met on the road, was
robbed of a large amount of goods.
The telegraph line has been cut in several places, and communication
between this place and Matamoras has been interrupted for three days. We
were also cut off from Camargo for two days. This raid was, simultaneous
with another by a band of Indians, who crossed the river below New
Laredo, at Eslacas. It thus happened that when my troops ought to have
been on the most uninhabited point on the frontier, to protect the
peaceable inhabitants on both sides of the river, I was compelled to
keep them here to check the advance of the revolutionists.
I inform you of these troubles in order that you may, in the proper
defense of our rights, explain to the authorities of the State of Texas
the damages caused to the inhabitants of the frontier by the invasions
periodically made into our country by forces organized and armed in that
State. In proof of this I beg that you will inform the said authorities
that among the persons who were engaged in the plunder of Mr. Garcia’s
train were the following-named American citizens, John Dorsey, James
Weber, Marcelino Weber, Urbino Singleberry, and James Rutledge.
I have not yet been able to ascertain the amount of damage that has been
sustained by the government and private individuals by the raids of
these parties. I will inform you of that when the reports are received.
For the present I content myself with telling you what I know thus far,
as I believe it highly important that the American authorities should be
advised of what is going oil, in order that they may take the proper
measures to prevent these incursions which affect not only the honest
and peaceable inhabitants along the border, but the credit of a country
so enlightened and civilized as the United States.
Please acknowledge the receipt of this note.
Liberty in the constitution.
Raynosa, April 29,
1878.
S. CANALES.
To the private commercial agent of Mexico at San Antonio de Bexar
(Texas).
[Inclosure 2.—Translation.]
Official telegrams.
(Sent from Camargo April 27, 1878.)
To the Minister of War:
General Cuellar last night sent me the following telegram:
“The Lerdists have moved from Brownsville: they will cross to-morrow;
their plan is to strike a blow—Salinas moving for this purpose from
wherever he may be to help them in the operation of the Sierrita (small
range of mountains); another party will also move from Davis, down the
stream. I have issued the necessary orders.”
I communicate it to you for your information.
(Sent from Camargo on the 27th of April, 1878.)
To the Minister of War:
As stated by Cuellar, the enlisted men from the other side crossed
to-day.
(Sent from Camargo April 27, 1878. Received at the city of
Mexico at 8.10 p.m.)
Citizen Minister of War:
Invading force from Texas crossed river last night opposite Reynosa.
(Sent from Reynosa April 29, 1878. Received at the city of
Mexico, at 10.20 p.m.)
Citizen Minister of War:
The men enlisted in Texas, divided in several parties, have crossed to
this side at various points. I am going to write to the commercial agent
of Mexico at San Antonio to the end that he may inform the authorities
of that State of the evils which the inhabitants of the frontier are
suffering in consequence of the periodical invasions of our territory by
forces organized and armed in United States territory.
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(Sent from Reynosa April 29, 1878. Received at the city of
Mexico at 10.13 p.m.)
Citizen Minister of War:
A party of revolutionists from Texas, numbering 100, were to-day beaten
and dispersed at Capote’s ranch. They left several prisoners, nine
Spencer rifles, and a horse in the hands of the government forces.
(Sent from Reynosa April 29, 1878. Received at the city of
Mexico at 10.54 p.m.)
Citizen Minister of War:
I beg you to inform the secretary of foreign relations that, in obedience
to the President’s orders, I this day address the commercial agent of
Mexico, at San Antonio de Bexar, informing him of the injuries suffered
by the inhabitants of the frontier in consequence of the periodical
invasions of bands organized and armed on American soil, which come to
rob the inhabitants of this frontier, and who, this last time, were
accompanied by several Texans.
(Sent from Reynosa April 30, 1878. Received at the city of
Mexico the same day at 10.58 p.m.)
Citizen Secretary of War:
General R. Cuellar sent me the following yesterday from Matamoras:
“I have learned from prisoners taken from the enemy that the total number
of enlisted men is from 160 to 200, who have crossed with all the
leaders who were in Texas.”
(Left at the telegraph office at Reynosa April 30, 1878.
Received at the city of Mexico May 1, 1878, at 9.15 a.m.)
Citizen Minister of War:
Lerdists crossed yesterday at La Rosita, Palma, and Retama.
(Deposited at Monterey May 1, 1878. Received at the city of
Mexico at 12.45 p.m.)
Department of Gubernation, under date of the 29th.
General Can ales sends me the following:
“Lieut. Col. Encarnacion Garza has routed 100 men at Capote of those
enlisted in Texas. Among them were Americans and colored men from the
State of Texas.”
(Deposited at Reynosa April 29, 1878. Received at city of
Mexico same day at 11.35 a.m.)
Messrs. Martinez and A. Perales:
Below Nueva Laredo, at Las Estacas, a band of savage Indians have
crossed. They were armed, and had 400 stolen animals with them.
Commandant Estebun Ramos has gone to give them a thrashing. I am
awaiting the result. The invasion of the Indians occurs coincidently
with that of the Lerdists below this point.
The foregoing are copies.
Washington, June 8,
1878.
JOSÉ T. DE CUELLAR,
Secretary.
