To stock-raisers., August 29, 1871

To stock-raisers.

Mr.— —:

Sir: The undersigned, at the request of prominent stock-raisers and citizens of this city and county, invites your co-operation in an effort which has been commenced at this place to render effective, for the benefit of the stock-raisers of Western Texas, the provisions of an act of the last legislature, entitled “An act to encourage stock-raising, and for the protection of stock-raising,” approved May 22, 1871. It is stated, on credible authority, that there are at present stored in Matamoras, Mexico, and awaiting shipment, over ten thousand hides of animals bearing American brands, stolen from this side of the Rio Grande.

On the 12th instant, a shipment of hides in bond was made from Matamoras, Mexico, to New Orleans, which reached this port in transitu. This was an attempt to evade the State inspection-law, by securing the protection of the United States custom-house authorities here for (stolen) “bonded” hides. As an experiment, it came near being successful. A search-warrant, issued on proper affidavit, showed that a large number of these hides, bearing well-known American brands of stolen animals, were concealed in this “bonded” shipment. They are detained for the benefit of the owners.

To render any effort made here effective in checking the wholesale robbery of stock-raisers, and recovering the stolen property, thereby depriving the thieves of their main source of profit, and chief inducement to persist in their depredations, it is necessary that you should have an agent at this place, duly authorized to represent you in any proceedings before the courts for the recovery or protection of your property. To this end, the undersigned presents to you the following names of substantial citizens and stock-raisers, permanent residents of this city and vicinity, who will probably consent to accept your agency in consideration of their interest, in common with yourself, in suppressing the depredations on live-stock, which are daily increasing in extent and audacity, and threaten the ultimate impoverishment or extinction of the stock-raising interest of the State. The names suggested are Louis Renaud and Alexander Werbiskie. On the 29th of July last a drove of one hundred and forty-one head of cattle, driven by twenty armed men, residing on the Mexican side of the river, reached the Rio Grande, at a ranch known as the Calabozo, about fifteen miles from here. One hundred and eleven of these had been crossed to Mexico before the neighboring rancheros were informed and assembled to prevent them. The thieves at once opened fire on our people from their position across the river, and a fight ensued, in which forty rounds of ammunition were exhausted. The thieves succeeded in carrying off the one hundred and eleven animals, and their hides are probably in Matamoros awaiting shipment “in bond” to the United States.

The form of an adequate power of attorney, which should be acknowledged before the county clerk, or a notary public, is herewith inclosed for signature, and a prompt answer solicited.