TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1846-1859
174
was no remedy for these troubles; and his reply was that al- though he had not authorized these measures yet he should take no steps to stop them. It is difficult to give an exact description of our situation. In this town we have five Mexicans to one American, and if any considerable force desired to go into the country they would fear leaving their families You will learn by affidavits which will be handed you, among which is my own in relation to an attack made by the party before referred to upon myself and others. My object in accompanying the party was to ascertain facts, and to bring what dead we might find. No provocation w~,s given; yet it is reported in Matamoros that this same Pedro Villereal reported to Genl. Avalos that a party of Americans (meaning us) had attempted to cross into Mexico and that he had ordered his men to fire on us; this is in keeping with their usual reports, and probably false; as none of our party were within six miles of their ranch I know of no remedy for our troubles short of one or two companies of rangers. If we could have about one hundred good men, well commanded, I think they would keep tho:-.e ene- mies of the human race upon their own side of the Rio Gran:ie; and if there ever was an emergency which would justify the Executive of a State in taking the responsibility, it seems to me the conditions of this frontier presents such an one at this time. I intended forwarding you the affidavits of Mr. John Jay and others, who assisted in burying most of the murdered per- sons before spoken of, but as they reside thirty or forty miles above here I have neglected to take them; but can, and will ob- tain them should it fu [Remainder of letter missing] [Beginning of letter missing] pass through the rancho of Rosario. That on the fifth day of the present month, they stole four cows from the inhabitants of said county, and brought and killed them at said rancho of Ro- sario and carried the meat into Mexico. That so frequent have been their visits at said rancho that affiant has become ac- quainted with all of them. The party is commanded by one Pedro Villereal, a Mexican, and at whose rancho they mainly reside. The'ir Colonel is a half blood Indian called Carlos, and their Captain is also a half blood Indian named Horertus. That said party have good fire arms and well understand the use of
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