9. Colonel Lee to the Adjutant General.
Headquarters Department of Texas,
Fort Brown, April 17, 1860.
Fort Brown, April 17, 1860.
Colonel: I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter, (marked E.,) I addressed on the 12th instant to General J. Garcia, commander-in-chief of the line of the Bravo, with his reply, (marked F.) You will perceive that he gives full assurances of the intention of the authorities of Mexico to prosecute Cortinas and his band, and announces that he now holds in prison at Matamoras some of his accomplices.
I also enclose the reply of the authorities of Reynosa to my letter to them of the 9th instant, (marked I.) I had no reason to doubt the sincerity of the profession of the Mexican authorities, and believe they are disposed to maintain peace with the United States; but their ability to control the unruly among their people is not, in my opinion, adequate to the purpose. I shall, therefore, not hesitate to disperse and punish all marauders on our territory. I hear of no aggressions on the frontier, nor can I learn of any preparations to disturb the existing quiet. The last reliable account of Cortinas was that he was retiring further into the interior of Mexico. He had with him his family and two men, and was more than one hundred miles from the frontier. General Garcia informed Major Heintzelman, on the 13th instant, that orders had been given by the Mexican authorities to arrest him wherever found.
The disposition of the United States troops on the river, is the same as at my last report. The recruits for the three companies of artillery at this post have arrived, and nearly completed their complement of men.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
I also enclose the reply of the authorities of Reynosa to my letter to them of the 9th instant, (marked I.) I had no reason to doubt the sincerity of the profession of the Mexican authorities, and believe they are disposed to maintain peace with the United States; but their ability to control the unruly among their people is not, in my opinion, adequate to the purpose. I shall, therefore, not hesitate to disperse and punish all marauders on our territory. I hear of no aggressions on the frontier, nor can I learn of any preparations to disturb the existing quiet. The last reliable account of Cortinas was that he was retiring further into the interior of Mexico. He had with him his family and two men, and was more than one hundred miles from the frontier. General Garcia informed Major Heintzelman, on the 13th instant, that orders had been given by the Mexican authorities to arrest him wherever found.
The disposition of the United States troops on the river, is the same as at my last report. The recruits for the three companies of artillery at this post have arrived, and nearly completed their complement of men.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. Lee,
Brevet Colonel, Commanding Department of Texas.
Brevet Colonel, Commanding Department of Texas.
Colonel S. Cooper,
Adjutant General U. S. Army, Washington City, D. C.
[Note. See Colonel Lee’s letter to Mr. Zepeda, to which the following is a reply, No. 7 d.]
Adjutant General U. S. Army, Washington City, D. C.
[Note. See Colonel Lee’s letter to Mr. Zepeda, to which the following is a reply, No. 7 d.]
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9 a.
9 a.
Sala Capitular,
Del L’Ayuntamiento, De Reynosa.
Dada cuenta à la Y. Corporacion en sesion estraordinaria de hoy, con la apreciable communicacion de W.S. fecha de ayer, relativa a va. rios puntos de importancia, acuerda decirle por mi conducto, como tengo el honor de hacerlo, que cuanto ha ofrecido hacer en su communicacion fecha 7 del corriente, y verbalmente, sobre la persecucion aprehencion y castigo de los hombres que se encuentren en esta villaysu jurisdicion pertenecientes à la reunion de Cortinas, es , tan cierto y de tan beuna fé, que ha dictado yà providencias muy serias y energicas, tanto por que desea que los malhechores se castiguen con el rigor de la ley, como por que siente sobre manera que bandidos de tal clase perjudiquen à una Nacion vecina y amiga, con quien la gente de orden de Mejico desea mantener las mejores relaciones de amistad; y el Ayuntamiento quisiera que U. S. se persuadiera de esta verdad para que no vacilase en creer cuanto le tiene ofrecido y nueramente le ofrece.
Mucho agradece esta Corporacion à V. S. que se haya dignado dar sus ordenes à los Señores Commandantes de las topas de los EE. UU. del Rio Grande, para que tengan por ciertas las promesas hechas por este cuerpo municipal, y puede V. S. estàr seguro de que en nada se faltarà.
Tambien ha visto con mucha satisfaccion y contento el Ayuntamiento lo informado à V.S. por el Señor Capitan Don Juan S. Ford, commandante Escuadron de Rio Grande “Texas Rangers,” lo mañana de ayer, contraido que està averiguando à las personas que antenoche dispararon dos tiros de su campo al de Mejico, para castiger à los que resuelten complices, é igual comportamento se observarâ por esta corporacion en caso ofrecido.
Dignése V.S. reciber mi particular aprecio y el de la corporacion que presido.
Dios y Libertad.
Del L’Ayuntamiento, De Reynosa.
Dada cuenta à la Y. Corporacion en sesion estraordinaria de hoy, con la apreciable communicacion de W.S. fecha de ayer, relativa a va. rios puntos de importancia, acuerda decirle por mi conducto, como tengo el honor de hacerlo, que cuanto ha ofrecido hacer en su communicacion fecha 7 del corriente, y verbalmente, sobre la persecucion aprehencion y castigo de los hombres que se encuentren en esta villaysu jurisdicion pertenecientes à la reunion de Cortinas, es , tan cierto y de tan beuna fé, que ha dictado yà providencias muy serias y energicas, tanto por que desea que los malhechores se castiguen con el rigor de la ley, como por que siente sobre manera que bandidos de tal clase perjudiquen à una Nacion vecina y amiga, con quien la gente de orden de Mejico desea mantener las mejores relaciones de amistad; y el Ayuntamiento quisiera que U. S. se persuadiera de esta verdad para que no vacilase en creer cuanto le tiene ofrecido y nueramente le ofrece.
Mucho agradece esta Corporacion à V. S. que se haya dignado dar sus ordenes à los Señores Commandantes de las topas de los EE. UU. del Rio Grande, para que tengan por ciertas las promesas hechas por este cuerpo municipal, y puede V. S. estàr seguro de que en nada se faltarà.
Tambien ha visto con mucha satisfaccion y contento el Ayuntamiento lo informado à V.S. por el Señor Capitan Don Juan S. Ford, commandante Escuadron de Rio Grande “Texas Rangers,” lo mañana de ayer, contraido que està averiguando à las personas que antenoche dispararon dos tiros de su campo al de Mejico, para castiger à los que resuelten complices, é igual comportamento se observarâ por esta corporacion en caso ofrecido.
Dignése V.S. reciber mi particular aprecio y el de la corporacion que presido.
Dios y Libertad.
Francisco Zepeda, Ste.
Vicente Muguruza, Secretario.
Señor Coronel Commandante del Departamento de Tejas, Don R.E. Lee, Edinburg.
Reynosa, Abril 10 de 1860.
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9 b.(Translation.)
9 b.(Translation.)
Seal of the Municipal Hall of Reynosa,
April 10, 1860.
Your esteemed favor of yesterday, in relation to various matters of importance, having been laid before this honorable corporation in extra session of to-day, it was agreed to grant me the honor of replying to you.
I assure you, that all that was offered in my letter of the 7th, as well as all the verbal promises made in relation to the prosecution, apprehension, and punishment of any men connected with the band of Cortinas, who may be in this town, or within its jurisdiction, have been carried out in good faith, and very urgent and severe measures have been taken, not only that the majesty of the law maybe vindicated, but because this corporation regrets that a banditti of such low class should disturb a neighboring and friendly nation, with which the best of our Mexican people desire to maintain good relations; and this corporation begs that, observing the honor and good faith in which we have acted, you will not hesitate to trust our sincerity in future.
This corporation is truly thankful to you for deigning to issue instructions to the officers commanding the United States troops on the Rio Grande, to rely upon the good faith of this corporation, and this municipal body will neglect no means of proving that your confidence has not been misplaced.
It is also a matter of grateful satisfaction to us, to notice the information given you by John S. Ford, esq., captain of Texas rangers, of the investigation going on to discover and punish the persons who fired the two shots from their camp into ours on the night before last.We will act in like manner in similar cases.
Have the kindness, dear sir, to accept the best esteem of this corporation, over which I have the honor to preside.
God and liberty!
April 10, 1860.
Your esteemed favor of yesterday, in relation to various matters of importance, having been laid before this honorable corporation in extra session of to-day, it was agreed to grant me the honor of replying to you.
I assure you, that all that was offered in my letter of the 7th, as well as all the verbal promises made in relation to the prosecution, apprehension, and punishment of any men connected with the band of Cortinas, who may be in this town, or within its jurisdiction, have been carried out in good faith, and very urgent and severe measures have been taken, not only that the majesty of the law maybe vindicated, but because this corporation regrets that a banditti of such low class should disturb a neighboring and friendly nation, with which the best of our Mexican people desire to maintain good relations; and this corporation begs that, observing the honor and good faith in which we have acted, you will not hesitate to trust our sincerity in future.
This corporation is truly thankful to you for deigning to issue instructions to the officers commanding the United States troops on the Rio Grande, to rely upon the good faith of this corporation, and this municipal body will neglect no means of proving that your confidence has not been misplaced.
It is also a matter of grateful satisfaction to us, to notice the information given you by John S. Ford, esq., captain of Texas rangers, of the investigation going on to discover and punish the persons who fired the two shots from their camp into ours on the night before last.We will act in like manner in similar cases.
Have the kindness, dear sir, to accept the best esteem of this corporation, over which I have the honor to preside.
God and liberty!
Francisco Zepeda, President.
Vicente Muguerza, Secretary.
R. E. Lee, Esq.,
Col. Com. the Military Dep’t of Texas.
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9 c.
9 c.
Headquarters, Fort Brown, Texas,
April 12, 1860.
April 12, 1860.
General: I had the honor to receive your letter of the 6th instant on my way to this place, and have postponed replying to it till my arrival. I regret that you consider the visit of Captain Ford, of the Texas rangers, to the town of Reynosa a cause of complaint, as that officer, in his official report of the occurrence, supposed he was acting in accordance with your sanction and the general understanding between yourself and Major Heintzelman, commanding the United States troops on the Rio Grande, that the outlaw, Cortinas, and his band should be pursued and arrested wherever found.
I was gratified to learn from the authorities of the city of Reynosa, and am pleased to have it repeated in your letter of the 6th instant, that the authorities and public force of Mexico, under the orders of the superior authorities, will pursue and punish Cortinas and his followers; as the vindication of the violated laws of the United States will conduce to the restoration of quiet on our frontier and of amicable feelings between the two countries.
For the attainment of this object I shall employ, if necesssary, all the force in this department; and further, I beg leave to inform you that I have been directed by the honorable Secretary of War of the government of the United States to notify the Mexican authorities on the Rio Grande that they must break up and disperse the bands of banditti concerned in the outrages against the persons and property of American citizens. I shall, therefore, consider it my duty to hold them responsible for its faithful performance.
As this agrees with the orders of the superior, authorities of your own government, and I am sure must be in accordance with your own sentiments, I feel confident of your cordial co-operation in the only means of preserving peace between the two countries.
I have been informed that there are now in Matamoras persons that were engaged with Cortinas in his depredations upon American soil, ready, if opportunity favors, to renew these aggressions. If this is the case, Imshall expect, as an evidence of the friendly relations between the governments of the United States and Mexico, that they be apprehended and punished, agreeably to the orders of your superior authorities.
I am, with high respect, your obedient servant,
I was gratified to learn from the authorities of the city of Reynosa, and am pleased to have it repeated in your letter of the 6th instant, that the authorities and public force of Mexico, under the orders of the superior authorities, will pursue and punish Cortinas and his followers; as the vindication of the violated laws of the United States will conduce to the restoration of quiet on our frontier and of amicable feelings between the two countries.
For the attainment of this object I shall employ, if necesssary, all the force in this department; and further, I beg leave to inform you that I have been directed by the honorable Secretary of War of the government of the United States to notify the Mexican authorities on the Rio Grande that they must break up and disperse the bands of banditti concerned in the outrages against the persons and property of American citizens. I shall, therefore, consider it my duty to hold them responsible for its faithful performance.
As this agrees with the orders of the superior, authorities of your own government, and I am sure must be in accordance with your own sentiments, I feel confident of your cordial co-operation in the only means of preserving peace between the two countries.
I have been informed that there are now in Matamoras persons that were engaged with Cortinas in his depredations upon American soil, ready, if opportunity favors, to renew these aggressions. If this is the case, Imshall expect, as an evidence of the friendly relations between the governments of the United States and Mexico, that they be apprehended and punished, agreeably to the orders of your superior authorities.
I am, with high respect, your obedient servant,
R. E. Lee,
Brevet Colonel, Comd’g Department of Texas.
Brevet Colonel, Comd’g Department of Texas.
General G. Garcia,
Commandant-in-chief of the line of the Bravo, Matamoras, Mexico.
A true copy.
Commandant-in-chief of the line of the Bravo, Matamoras, Mexico.
A true copy.
T. W. Robinson,
First Lieutenant First Artillery.
First Lieutenant First Artillery.
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9 d.
9 d.
General de Brigada en comision del Gobierno:
La atenta communicacion de V. S. fecha 12 del actual satisface cumplidamente todos los puntos que por mi parte toqué en la de 6 del mismo, que V. S. recibo en camino para el cuartel general que hoy ocupa; y desde luego me es sumamente satisfactorio dar à U.S. las debidas gracias, asi como la mas cumplida enhorabuena por su feliz arribo al proprio cuartèl general.
Por mi parte recibo con beneplacito la notificacion que por orden de la Honrable Seccion de Guerra del Gobierno de los EE. UU. se sirve V. S. hacer à las autoridades Mejicanas del Rio Grande sobre el deber que tienen de perseguir al bandolero Cortina y sus partidas; y V. S. debe comprender perfectamente que se ha de persistir en esa obra de la humanidad, no solo por las disposiciones terminantes del Supremo Gobierno constitucional de la Republico, que reside en Vera Cruz, y del particular del Estado de Tamaulipas, establecido transitoriamente en Tampico, sino por que se ha acometido desde el principio por todas estas autoridades con la lealtad y buena fé de quien desea conservar la paz de que disfrutan dos pueblos amigos.
Algunos de los còmplices de las depredaciones de Cortina en el ter ritorio de los EE. UU. se han capturado en virtud de sus ordenes; y con otros de la misma pandilla permanecen asegurados en la prision comun de esta ciudad, à donde seguramente vendràn à dar todos los demas que aun se atrevar à renovar sus agresiones Vandalicas, si es que no pueda correrles otra suerte como resultado de cualquiera resis tencia à la justicia y armas del pais que los persiguen incesante mente para que expien su crimen : por consiguiente V. S. tiene razon en esperar este acto como prueba de amistad entre los Gobiernos de los EE.UU. y Mejico, a lo vez que hace à estas mismas autoridades bastante honor admitiendo las como medio de reciberla.
Con ocasion de esta respuesta reproduzco à W. S. misrespetos y cordial estimacion.
Dios y libertad. Matamoros, Abril 14 de 1860.
La atenta communicacion de V. S. fecha 12 del actual satisface cumplidamente todos los puntos que por mi parte toqué en la de 6 del mismo, que V. S. recibo en camino para el cuartel general que hoy ocupa; y desde luego me es sumamente satisfactorio dar à U.S. las debidas gracias, asi como la mas cumplida enhorabuena por su feliz arribo al proprio cuartèl general.
Por mi parte recibo con beneplacito la notificacion que por orden de la Honrable Seccion de Guerra del Gobierno de los EE. UU. se sirve V. S. hacer à las autoridades Mejicanas del Rio Grande sobre el deber que tienen de perseguir al bandolero Cortina y sus partidas; y V. S. debe comprender perfectamente que se ha de persistir en esa obra de la humanidad, no solo por las disposiciones terminantes del Supremo Gobierno constitucional de la Republico, que reside en Vera Cruz, y del particular del Estado de Tamaulipas, establecido transitoriamente en Tampico, sino por que se ha acometido desde el principio por todas estas autoridades con la lealtad y buena fé de quien desea conservar la paz de que disfrutan dos pueblos amigos.
Algunos de los còmplices de las depredaciones de Cortina en el ter ritorio de los EE. UU. se han capturado en virtud de sus ordenes; y con otros de la misma pandilla permanecen asegurados en la prision comun de esta ciudad, à donde seguramente vendràn à dar todos los demas que aun se atrevar à renovar sus agresiones Vandalicas, si es que no pueda correrles otra suerte como resultado de cualquiera resis tencia à la justicia y armas del pais que los persiguen incesante mente para que expien su crimen : por consiguiente V. S. tiene razon en esperar este acto como prueba de amistad entre los Gobiernos de los EE.UU. y Mejico, a lo vez que hace à estas mismas autoridades bastante honor admitiendo las como medio de reciberla.
Con ocasion de esta respuesta reproduzco à W. S. misrespetos y cordial estimacion.
Dios y libertad. Matamoros, Abril 14 de 1860.
G. Garcia.
Señor Coronel Don R. E. Lee,
Commandante del Departamento de Tejas,
en el cuartel general del Fuerte Brown.
Commandante del Departamento de Tejas,
en el cuartel general del Fuerte Brown.
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9 e.[Translation.]
9 e.[Translation.]
Matamoras, April 14, 1860.
Brigadier General in Government Commission: Your attentive communication of the 12th instant fully satisfies all the points referred to in mine of the 6th of the same month, which you received on the road to the headquarters you now occupy. It therefore gives me as much satisfaction to express my thanks that are due to you as my congratulations at your safe arrival.
I receive, on my part, with the greatest pleasure the notification which, by order of the honorable Secretary of War of the government of the United States, you give to the Mexican authorities on the Rio Grande, upon the duty incumbent upon them to pursue the bandit Cortinas and his followers; and you must be perfectly aware that they will persist in this measure of humanity, not only on account of the determined purpose of the supreme and constitutional government of the republic, resident at Vera Cruz, and of the particular State government of Tamaulipas, temporarily established at Tampico, but because it has always been the policy of all these authorities to preserve the peace which exists between friendly nations, with loyalty and good faith. Some of the accomplices of Cortinas in his depradations upon the territory of the United States, have been captured, by virtue of these orders, and others of the same band are in the common prison of this city, to which fate all others will come who dare to renew these robber-like aggressions; if they do not incur another penalty as the result of their resistance to the justice and arms of the country which constantly pursues them that they may expiate their crimes. You are consequently right in regarding this as a proof of friendship between the governments of the United States and Mexico, at the same time that it honors these authorities by admitting them to be the means of receiving it.
I take the opportunity of this reply to renew to you my respects and cordial esteem.
I receive, on my part, with the greatest pleasure the notification which, by order of the honorable Secretary of War of the government of the United States, you give to the Mexican authorities on the Rio Grande, upon the duty incumbent upon them to pursue the bandit Cortinas and his followers; and you must be perfectly aware that they will persist in this measure of humanity, not only on account of the determined purpose of the supreme and constitutional government of the republic, resident at Vera Cruz, and of the particular State government of Tamaulipas, temporarily established at Tampico, but because it has always been the policy of all these authorities to preserve the peace which exists between friendly nations, with loyalty and good faith. Some of the accomplices of Cortinas in his depradations upon the territory of the United States, have been captured, by virtue of these orders, and others of the same band are in the common prison of this city, to which fate all others will come who dare to renew these robber-like aggressions; if they do not incur another penalty as the result of their resistance to the justice and arms of the country which constantly pursues them that they may expiate their crimes. You are consequently right in regarding this as a proof of friendship between the governments of the United States and Mexico, at the same time that it honors these authorities by admitting them to be the means of receiving it.
I take the opportunity of this reply to renew to you my respects and cordial esteem.
G. Garcia.
God and liberty
Colonel R. E. Lee,
Commanding Department of Texas, Headquarters, Fort Brown.
Troubles on Texas Frontier, Letter from The Secretary of War (John B. Floyd), Communicating, In compliance with a resolution of the House, information in relation to the troubles on the Texas frontier, May 5, 1860; House Documents, Otherwise Publ. as Executive Documents: 13th Congress, 2d Session-49th Congress, 1st Session, Volume 12
“During the 12 years following the Mexican-American War, there were present on the frontiers of Texas and Mexico many factors that tended to create disturbances. The topography of the country, the sparsity and general character of its population, the lack of an extradition treaty and of sufficient national authority, wild Indians of uncertain abode, the Mexican tariff system, all caused friction and gave encouragement to lawlessness which not only retarded the development of the region but often threatened to interrupt friendly relations between the two republics.” [Border Troubles along the Rio Grande, 1848-1860, The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. 23, No. 2 (OCTOBER, 1919)]