No. 516.
Mr. Blaine to Señor de
Zamacona.
Washington, August 29, 1881.
Sir: I Lave the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 8th instant in reference to the proceedings of a mob near Willcox, Pima County, Arizona, which resulted in the hanging of one man and the mysterious disappearance of another, who was held a prisoner in the hands of those engaged in the outrage, and I also acknowledge the receipt of your notes of the 15th and 18th instant, respectively, both referring to cases of plunder by marauding bands, unfortunately so common to both sides of the border between the two republics.
Replying to these several notes I do myself the honor to state for your information, and for that of the government you so worthily represent, that I have addressed a letter to the governor of Arizona, inclosing a copy of each of the notes in question and requesting him to institute an investigation, under the direction of the United States district attorney or such other Federal officer as he, the governor, might deem proper to select, into all the facts and circumstances of the affair in Pima County, and urging upon his excellency at the same time the importance of using every available means within the power of the territorial executive authorities to have the instigators and perpetrators of the outrage discovered and brought to trial.
In this same communication Governor Fremont was requested and earnestly urged to adopt such measures as, in his judgment, might prove most effective in promoting increased vigilance on the part of the local authorities of the border counties of Arizona, with a view to the suppression of these lawless raiding parties who appear to be organized on each side of the boundary line for purposes of robbery and indiscriminate plunder.
The fact is too well authenticated to be unknown to the Mexican Government, as it is well known to this, that these bands are generally, if not altogether, made up of Mexicans and Americans who give themselves no care as to the nationality of their comrades in crime, and entertain a common disregard for the laws of either country.
While these conditions exist it is only by corresponding vigilance of the authorities on either side of the line that a suppression of these marauding bands can be hoped for. I can give you the assurance that no effort will be spared by this government which may give promise of that result.
[Page 846]I will lose no time in acquainting you with the proceedings of Governor Frémont in regard to the Pima County occurrences, when he shall have made the results known to the Department.
Accept, sir, &c.,