File No. 812.00/658.
[Untitled]
Sir: I have the honor to advise that since mailing my despatch of the 16th I have been called on by Señor Andres Garza Galán, special representative of the commander of the Mexican Federal troops in the State of Coahuila, and also of the governor of the same State, and he reiterates all his letter of the 16th instant disclosed.
Although Señor Galan would like to have me think that many recruits are crossing the Rio Grande at various points between Eagle Pass and Marfa, I am confident from his conversation that he knows of large bodies of rebels in this State and also in the State of Chihuahua who are making serious trouble for the Mexican Government. In fact, he admitted as much to me before he left.
Soon after the departure of Mr. Galán, Hon. Robert W. Dowe, United States collector of customs at Eagle Pass, called on me to positively deny that any Federal official saw or knew of any shots fired on the Mexican Federal troops from the American side of the Rio Grande before, during, or after the fight between the Mexican Federals and rebels on the 11th instant, and he was very indignant that Mr. Galán had declared that such was the case. He said that he had heard from his deputies since the battle herein referred to, and they all had advised him that there was no truth in the statement made by Mr. Galán.
I have, etc.,