Señor Cayetano Romero to Mr. Foster.

[Translation.]

Mr. Secretary: I have the honor, in pursuance of instructions received from Mr. Mariscal, secretary of foreign relations of Mexico, herewith to inclose a copy of a communication addressed to that officer on the 16th ultimo by the consul of the Republic at Rio Grande City, Tex., suggesting that it would be well for the U. S. Government to station detachments of Federal troops at the fords of the Rio Grande, between that place and Laredo, so as to render it difficult for the highwaymen who assemble and organize in Texas to cross that river. The Government of Mexico hopes that this suggestion will be adopted, since it does not doubt that its adoption would be productive of good results.

Be pleased to accept, etc.

C. Romero.
[Inclosure—Translation.]

Señor Leal to Señor Mariscal.

No. 31.]

The officer in command of Fort Ringgold called to see me to-day at my office, and in speaking of the recent occurrences at the San Ignacio ranch, a report of which I had the honor to send to the department under your charge in my dispatch of the 13th instant (No. 30), I took the liberty to suggest to him that it would he well for detachments of Federal troops to be stationed at the fords of the Rio Grande on the Texas side, inasmuch as the crossing of outlaws as into Mexican territory might thereby be prevented.

The said officer told me in reply that the idea seemed to him to be a good one, hut that he would have to consult the officer in command of the Department of Texas on the subject.

I have, Mr. Minister, addressed a communication relative to this matter to Don Plutarco Ornelas, at San Antonio, Tex., requesting him to call on the officer commanding the department, and to point out to him the advisability of stationing such detachments at the fords of the Rio Grande between this city and Laredo.

It is my belief, Mr. Minister, that this measure, if adopted, would be productive of the best results, and that the presence of Federal troops in those places would prevent any further incursions into our territory by those criminals.

I have the honor to communicate this to you for your information, and to reiterate to you the assurances of my very distinguished consideration and most profound respect.

Alberto Leal.