I have not yet received the answer of Mr. Mariscal.
I am, &c.
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Nelson to Mr.
Mariscal.
Legation of the United States,
Mexico, March 18, 1872.
Sir: During the last three years I have had
frequent occasion to address the Mexican government, officially and
unofficially, upon the subject of the constantly occurring
incursions of the Kickapoo, and other Indians of the frontier, into
the State of Texas, where they have committed numerous murders and
robberies. Some of my notes have been directed to the object of
obtaining protection to the citizens of the Texas frontier, by the
exertion of the authority of the Mexican government to restrain and
severely punish such outrages. Others have solicited the
co-operation of the Mexican government in an attempt to remove to
their reservations, within the United States, such Indians as have
migrated from American to Mexican territory, and have suggested or
requested permission for troops of the United States to cross the
frontier in pursuit of hostile Indians, or in aid of the agents
employed to collect the scattered bands.
I would respectfully call your excellency’s attention to my notes of
July 24, August 11, and October 29, 1869, of February 4, April 7,
and 15, 1870, and of January 4, and April 12, 1871, remarking at the
same time that, on several other occasions, I have received from my
Government documents and instructions which should properly have
been the occasion of other similar notes, but that in consequence of
the disturbed or abnormal condition of the country, and desirous to
avoid difficulties for the Mexican government, I have limited myself
to verbal representations on the subject.
To my request for permission for American troops to cross the
frontier, the Mexican government replied, on the 16th of April,
1870, and again on the 7th of January, 1871, that it did not possess
the faculty of granting such permission, but on the latter occasion
offered to submit the request to congress if desired.
In answer to an inquiry on my part, the acting minister of foreign
affairs informed me on April 20, 1871, that the Mexican government
“had arrived at the conclusion that the present would not be the
most fitting occasion to solicit such permission from congress with
any well-founded hopes of obtaining a prompt and favorable
decision.”
In the said note of the 16th of April, 1870, the government of Mexico
offered its cooperation in the “just and humane object of the
Government of the United States” in the removal of these
Indians.
The American Congress made an appropriation of $25,000 for that
purpose, and last summer agents were sent to the Kickapoo Indians to
induce them to remove to their reservation, and to furnish them the
means of so doing.
Instead, however, of meeting with any co-operation from the Mexican
authorities, the said agents reported that their attempt had been
defeated by the opposition of the Mexican authorities, who employed
not merely persuasion, but bribes, for that purpose.
It is with regret that, in view of these antecedents, I am forced to
remind your excellency that none of my representations, formal or
informal, have led to any satisfactory result.
The depredations complained of have continued and still continue. In
a dispatch, dated the 27th ultimo, which was accompanied by new
documents upon recent Indian outrages, the Secretary of State of my
Government uses the following language:
“It must be obvious to the Mexican government that the ravages
referred to cannot fail to occasion great irritation among those
citizens of Texas who suffer from them, and that in the interest of
the good understanding which we are desirous of maintaining with the
Mexican Republic, the government of that republic is expected to
exert its authority toward checking the raids of the robbers
referred to.” In proof of the gravity of the evil, and of the
feeling naturally aroused in Texas, I beg to inclose a copy of a
resolution which passed the Texas legislature on May 24, 1870, and
was presented to the American Congress on the 10th of June of that
year. It is evident that the sentiments therein expressed cannot but
have acquired increased vehemence at the present time.
Though discouraged by the failure of the attempt of last year, my
Government is of the opinion that the only efficient remedy for
these depredations will be the removal of these Indians to their
reservations within the United States. To effect such removal, it is
now more than ever apparent that our agents must count not only upon
the active assistance of the Mexican government, but, if possible,
upon the said permission for
[Page 411]
our troops to cross the frontier, which I am instructed again to
solicit. It is hoped that as the President of Mexico is now invested
with “extraordinary faculties” he will rind no difficulty in
acceding to this request.
I would respectfully suggest that, upon the re-occupation of the
States of Coahuila and Nuevo Leon by the government forces,
advantage be taken of the temporary government of those States by
martial law to take those speedy and efficient measures for the
final cessation of Indian outrages which my Government has
instructed me to urge, and which would seem to consist in lending an
active support to the views of my Government for the removal of
those Indians. Should the Mexican government accede to the prompt
realization of this enlightened and humane policy, I will lose no
time in communicating so satisfactory a statement to the Government
of the United States, in order that speedy measures may be taken to
co-operate with the Mexican authorities on the frontier. My
Government will take the highest satisfaction in seeing thus
permanently removed a constant source of disturbance in those
intimate, friendly, and cordial relations which should ever subsist
between two nations whose interests and sympathies are so nearly
akin.
I take pleasure in renewing to your excellency, upon this occasion,
the assurance of the very high consideration and respect with which
I have the honor to remain your excellency’s obedient servant.
