SAFFORD , Governor to Hamilton Fish, December 29, 1871

Sir: I had the honor to transmit to you, February 14, 1871, a communication giving Information of the insecurity of life and property in this Territory, along and near the Mexican border, in consequence of frequent murders and robberies committed by Mexican subjects, who invariably escape to Mexico; and particularly referring to the Mission Camp massacre, with my action in the premises, and the refusal of the governor of Sonora to surrender the criminals, coupled with a statement from him that he had referred the question to the supreme government of Mexico. I subsequently learned from Mexican newspapers that the supreme government decided in effect that Mexican subjects having committed crimes on the soil of the United States, should not under the treaty be given up for punishment to the authorities of the United States, nor was it a proper cause for punishment within the republic of Mexico. This decision did, as I predicted it would in my communication of February 14, “act as an incentive to the numerous bands of outlaws who infest that country to increase their criminal depredations on our soil.” Within a few months one man was murdered on the Gila River, while asleep. Another was shot from his horse near the same place; but a few days since Wm. Wright was murdered, sixty miles south of here, while asleep, and his head was cut off; and on the 21st instant, John W. Baker, his wife, and boy about seven years old, were brutally murdered sixty miles west of this place, and a child of the age of five months perished for food and from cold, after its mother was murdered. I followed in person this last band of outlaws, and came so close to them that they were obliged to abandon the horses they had stolen, but succeeded in making their escape into the mountains beyond the line. This last horrid massacre has aroused the indignation of all the good people of the Territory, both Mexicans and Americans, and it is with great difficulty that retaliation is prevented.

Earnestly desirous of maintaining friendly relations between this Territory and the State of Sonora, and feeling well convinced that the repetition of such outrages as that of the 21st might place the matter beyond my control, I have deemed it advisable to send, unofficially, a Mexican, who was formerly a private secretary of Governor Pesqueira, to him, with a plain statement of the facts, and have asked him, in order to promote friendly relations between this Territory and Sonora, to devise some plan by which these criminals may be punished. Well known and reliable Mexican subjects residing here have also written him in similar tone, and I have strong hopes that the governor will see the importance of complying with our request. If, however, this should fail, and no punishment follow for the perpetration of these outrages, these outlaws will increase their depredations until it will be impossible to inhabit our Territory near the Mexican border, and I fear retaliation will follow that will place the two countries in a semi-state of war. If our Government could sustain us in following and capturing these outlaws into their own country, we could and would, without further assistance from the Government, soon bring them to terms, and put a stop to these crimes on our own soil; but I am aware that such a course would not be in compliance with the treaty existing between the two governments. Yet I do not consider that Mexico is acting the part of a neighbor in allowing her outlaws to murder and rob our people without making an effort to stop it. Some relief might be obtained by requiring Mexican subjects to procure passports; those found without them, after a reasonable notice, be compelled to leave the country.

In view of this disturbed condition of affairs, I should be pleased to receive such instructions as you may consider will aid me in the discharge of my duties, and, if possible, adopting such measures as will secure life and property against these outlaws. I inclose a copy of our local paper of to-day, which contains the report of the coroner’s jury, and some further information upon the late massacre.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,