TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1846-1859 167 translation, is written in so common and vulgar a style that it is impossible to translate it literally with any sort of sense. In order, therefore, that the substance may appear intelligible I have made the following synopsis of the said document. viz. Pedro Gonzales., Justice of the Peace in the village of Ysleta (on the Rio Grande) and the only Justice there represents to your Excellency, in the name of the people and inhabitants of the said village, and after a mass meeting held by the same on the first day of April last for the consideration of the matter hereinafter mentioned : That the inhabitants of the village are very much dissatisfied with the injuries and ravages they suffer from the Americans who reside there. That without previous notice or cause, and without any kind of commission, court, process warrant and etc. there are some men, who, under the disguise of surveyors, survey their lands, dispossess them of their property, and bestow the same upon their own friends or accomplices in the plundering transaction. That the Americans make a complete fun and ridicule of the constituted authorities that they beat them, and even threat- en them with pistols when they try to enforce any law or com- mand. That by the depredations and usurpations carried on by the Americans against their property and peace, they are becoming deprived of the means of subsistence and quite tired of such state of affairs. That the Americans, under the fictitious pretext that they are plundered by the Mexican (now American citizen) go to their own houses and flog them unmercifully. That, in the Town of Socorro last January, the Justice and the Constable were assaulted and flogged by the Americans, and that he is afraid that such a thing may happen again, as the spirit of insubordination, and contempt of the laws is increas- ing every day more and more. And by such powerful reasons he begs in the name and by request of the people, that your Excellency will be pleased to interfere with your authority to relieve them from the above- mentioned evils, which are becoming every hour more and more insufferable, and vexatious to the citizens of the village of Ysleta. Austin, May 26th 1852
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