Señor Romero to Mr Gresham.
Tacoma Wash., August 5, 1893. (Received August 12.)
Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to inform you that I have received instructions from my Government, dated at the City of Mexico, July 13, 1893, to present to the Government of the United States of America a complaint with regard to the invasion of the Mexican territory recently perpetrated by a party of armed men coming from Texas.
From official reports communicated to the Mexican Government by the governor of the State of Chihuahua, and by the Mexican consul at El Paso, Tex., it appears that on the 30th of June last, six armed men from Texas under the command of Capt. Frank C. Jones, invaded the Mexican territory in pursuit of Jesus Hoi gain, who took refuge in the house of his brother Antonio, situated in the town of Tres Jacales, District of Bravos, State of Chihuahua, where he joined his brother and his son Severo. Capt. Jones took possession of the houses adjoining that of Holguin, and in the fight Jesus and Severo Holguin were wounded and Capt. Jones killed.
On the evening of the same day, June 30, and on the morning of the following day, another party, also coming from the State of Texas, consisting of about sixty men, took hostile possession of the point called La Isla, opposite Tres Jacales, but withdrew on seeing a body of the neighbors, who had organized in the place where these events happened resolved to support the authorities.
In view of these facts the President of the United States of Mexico has given me instructions to present to the Government of the United States of America a formal remonstrance both concerning the invasion of the Mexican territory, and the pursuit which took place on it, the attack on the inhabitants of Tres Jacales in their own village, and also for the new invasion of the same village on the evening of June 30, and the occupation of the point called La Isla, in the morning of July 1.
I have also received instructions to ask for the punishment of the invaders, and to request that the Government of the United States of America issue such instructions as it may deem sufficient to prevent the future repetition of acts no less disagreeable than offensive to the sovereignty of the United States of Mexico.
[Page 456]Satisfied of the respect which the President of the United States of America entertains for the rights of foreign nations, I do not doubt that, as soon as the facts which serve as the foundation of this complaint come to his knowledge, he will take such measures as he may think best adapted to satisfy it.
Accept, etc.,