No. 299.
Mr. Fish to Mr. Nelson.
Department
of State,
Washington, March 22,
1872.
No. 234.]
Sir: A copy of a letter from the Treasury
Department, dated the 16th instant, covering one from Mr. M. Kenedy, on
the subject of further depredations committed in Texas upon citizens of
the United States by marauders from the Mexican side of the line, is
herewith transmitted.
You are requested to lay these papers before the minister for foreign
affairs of Mexico, and to demand that reparation be made for the alleged
outrages upon our citizens.
I am, &c.
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Boutwell to
Mr. Fish.
Treasury Department, Office of the
Secretary,
March 16,
1872. (Received March 18.)
Sir: I inclose a copy of a letter written
by Mr. Kenedy, of Brownsville, Texas, to Judge Downey of that place,
now in this city. This letter corroborates the statements
[Page 406]
received from other
sources, that American citizens on the line of the Rio Grande are
subject to depredations on the other side of the river, and the loss
of large numbers of cattle.
Yours, respectfully,
GEO. S. BOUTWELL,
Secretary.
[Inclosure 2.]
Brownsville, Texas, March 8, 1872.
Edward Downey, Washington City. D. C.:
Conducta from Zacatecas, via Camargo and Rio Grande City, arrived
to-day, bringing $500,000. Was attacked by Coballo Blanco at ferry
opposite Rio Grande City. No harm done.
On evening of 6th, seven hundred head of cattle were crossed by an
armed baud of Mexicans at Santi Maria. They took Inspector Sheldon,
the two Champions, and others prisoners, and held them until the
drove was safely crossed into Mexico. Will write fully by mail.
Yours truly,
