[Inclosure in No. 34]
Mr. Manning to Mr.
Mariscal.
Legation of the United States,
Mexico, December 11,
1886.
Sir: Under instructions from my Government I
have the honor to invite your excellency’s attention to a loss of
certain Federal property by troops of the United States while engaged in
the pursuit of hostile Chiricahua Indians in Mexican territory. It
appears that on 12th of January last, while encamped in Sonora, Mexico,
Lieutenant Maus, of the First United States Infantry, then commanding
the expedition from the United States against the hostile Indians, was
called away from his camp by the cries of his interpreter, who had gone
after some stock which had previously been captured by the American
troops from the hostile Chiricahuas. On approaching the place whence the
cries proceeded, which was at some distance from the camp, Lieiftenant
Maus discovered his interpreter in the company of a party of Mexican
troops, about fifty in number, who, at first professing’ to be friendly,
presently began to demand of Lieutenant Maus a portion of the stock
belonging to the United States and in the custody of his command, and
upon his refusing to comply assumed a threatening manner. He offered
some of the captured stock, but they would not accept it, demanding
mules instead. While this parley was in progress the detention of
Lieutenant Maus became known to his scouts and produced great excitement
among them. Momentarily apprehensive lest a fight might begin,
Lieutenant Maus, acting for the public good, delivered into the hands of
the Mexican troops six mules, four aparejos complete, six halters and
straps, six blankets, two saddles, two bridles, and two mantas, for all
of which he took a receipt from the commander of the Mexican forces.
I am directed to ask that your excellency’s Government will return the
above-mentioned property to the Government of the United States or make
compensation therefor, together with reasonable indemnification for the
loss suffered by the United States in being deprived of the use of the
property in question since the time of its delivery to the Mexican
troops. The value of this property is estimated at’$l,500, and the
damage resulting from its loss at $500, or $2,000 United States
currency.
While expressing the hope that your excellency’s Government will
appreciate the justice of this claim, and that the property in question
will be returned, or $2,000, its value and damages, be transmitted to
the United States Government, I beg to renew, etc.,
