Macmanus to Hamilton Fish, September 30, 1871

Mr. Macmanus to Mr. Fish.

Sir: The undersigned has the honor to invite your attention to the accompanying certified copy of the report of the grand jury of this county at the last term of the district court at this place. This report, for the reasons therein stated, reveals only a few instances of the depredations on American property committed by armed bands residing and organized in the territory of Mexico. The State and local authorities are powerless to prevent or punish those parties, who are well armed, equipped, and organized, or even to furnish protection to the inhabitants of the sparsely settled country between the Rio Grande and the Nueces River, who run the risk of their lives in giving information or invoking the protection of the laws of their country against the robbers.

In the hope that the facts revealed in this report may be deemed sufficient to justify an investigation and lead to the adoption of such measures as are necessary for the protection of stock-raisings which is the chief interest of Western Texas, the undersigned, as a public officer, has felt it his duty to specially direct the attention of the United States Government, through you, to the condition of affairs on this frontier.

I am, &c.,