Foster to J. M. Lafragua, April 14, 1875

Mr. Foster to Mr. Lafragua.

Sir: I have been instructed by my Government to promptly bring to your excellency’s attention the depredations and outrages which have recently been committed in the State of Texas, near the Rio Grande, by raiding bands from Mexican territory, and to ask that your excellency’s government will adopt such energetic and decisive measures as may be necessary on its part to punish the offenders and restore and preserve peace and order on that frontier.

The Department of State has been officially informed by the Postmaster-General that the post-office at Nueces, in Texas, was, on the 26th ultimo, robbed and burned, and a mail-courier to San Antonio robbed and taken prisoner. I inclose copies of the correspondence on the subject.

Although it is not believed that the acts referred to were committed or instigated by officers in the service of the Mexican government, they are obviously such as must create great resentment in the quarter where they occurred, and will probably lead to a retaliation, which will result in augmenting the disquiet and sense of insecurity on the border.

I also transmit to your excellency a copy of a telegram from the governor of the State of Texas to the President of the United States, in which he represents in strong language the state of alarm and insecurity in the country between the Nueces and Rio Grande, inconsequence of the depredations of organized bands of robbers from the Republic of Mexico; and in which he calls upon the President for protection to the people of that region against the invasions, which are increasing in force and boldness.

This protection will of course be given to the extent of the power of the Government of the United States; but 1 am instructed to state to your excellency that it is expected that the Mexican government will omit nothing which may be in its power toward preventing such raids upon the territory of the United States, and that it will do everything possible to secure the punishment, according to law, of the perpetrators of these outrages.

It will be very gratifying to me, at an early day, to be able to inform my Government of such action taken by your excellency’s government as will satisfy its just expectations, restore peace and security to the exposed citizens of Texas, and quiet the complaints now being made in the United States.

Your excellency will please to receive upon this occasion the reiterated assurances of my high consideration and esteem.