EDWARD HATCH, Colonel 9 th Cavalry, Commanding to the Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of Texas, March 10, 1875

Colonel Hatch to the Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of Texas.

Sir: I have the honor to call attention to the inclosed reports. That of Mr. Avery, United States commercial agent at Camargo, Mexico, states what I already know; that there is a body of men numbering from seventy-five to one hundred, now on this side of the river, at a point named Los Diez. On examining the point named, these men are found dispersed among the ranches of the Solesis, Grullia, and Los Diez, their horses picketed or ranging near them; they are represented as citizens of Texas, and should the military make any arrests they will be so considered; until we can catch them in a body armed, we are utterly powerless to make arrests. I inclose a tracing of the vicinity; the region is well known to me; it is a labyrinth of lakes and thickets; the ford at Los Diez being one of the most shallow and best on the river.

The party mentioned at the bend of the Tortuga is on debatable ground, between a large lagoon on the Texas side and the main channel of the Rio Grande. It is presumed that the precedent of the territory at the Bolca bend, decided by the United States court as Mexican territory, confers the same title to this land to Mexico; the territory was not alienated by the change of river-channel subsequent to the treaty of Hidalgo Guadalupe.

Garcia, the chief mentioned, is, or was, a resident of Rio Grande city, an old adherent of Cortinas. Although I have heard many rumors of a raid in force, I am under the impression that Cortinas contemplates some movement, probably revolutionary, in Tamaulipas. Many of the river ranches on the American side are in sympathy with him, and will assist him with men, horses, and, what is quite as necessary, supply his commissariat with stolen cattle. Small parties at various points cross on foot; whether they have crossed to avoid impressment or for the purpose of stealing, I am unable to learn.

Mr. Fulton, reported murdered, was a justice of the peace and hide inspector, and as he has endeavored to enforce the law delegated to him, doubtless accounts for his death.

During the month of February I visited all outposts of the garrison, and I have no reason to change my views as to the manner of assuring security to life and property in the territory adjacent to the Rio Grande; to do so will require an armed force. Whether furnished by the State or Army, this armed force should have authority to enforce such regulations as may be deemed necessary outside of the towns, to preserve good order, and protect the country from marauding bands. Certain points on the river should be designated as crossings, and men and stock should be allowed passage only in daylight, and any attempt to pass otherwise should be held as a violation of rules, and evidence of evil intent.

I would respectfully invite your attention to the fact mentioned in Mr. Avery’s letter, as evidence that the State of Tamaulipas considers the residents of the Solesis and Grullia ranches citizens of Mexico. Trivial as the circumstances may seem at present, grave events might grow out of the case. The absurd ignorance of the authorities of the State of Tamaulipas—extending its laws beyond any first-class power in existence; stretching its municipal authority beyond a foreign boundary; summoning by its local magistrates its citizens, who have acquired the right of domicile in foreign country, to appear before its tribunals, not for crimes committed by the citizens in violation of its own laws, but to obtain evidence to frame an indictment against the armed authority of a neighboring power—show that they believe they still have jurisdiction on this side. The people of the ranches mentioned are Mexicans, and few have declared their intention of becoming American citizens. In this precinct there are nearly a thousand families with eleven registered voters, five of whom are entitled to vote.

I think the necessary arrangements are already made to drive out these marauders, and probably within a week they will all be out of the country. If this band in and about the Solesis, Diez, and Grullia ranches are not over the river by to-morrow they will be driven out.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,