No. 278.
Mr. Fish to Mr.
Nelson
No. 136.]
Department of State, Washington,
February 7, 1871.
Sir: I transmit a copy of the reply of the
Secretary of War to the letter of this Department which was accompanied by a
copy of your dispatch No. 336, of the 10th ultimo, relative to Indian
affairs. It will be noticed that General Belknap deems, it advisable that
the required consent of the Mexican congress to the entrance of United
States troops into that republic, near the frontier, for the purpose
referred to, should be obtained. You will, consequently, adopt such measures
for that purpose as may seem to you proper and likely to be successful. In a
matter, however, which must, if not judiciously managed, wound the
sensibilities of a people so averse to anything like an invasion of their
soil by foreigners, it will be necessary to move with great delicacy and
caution, not merely with a view to compass the object desired, but to avoid
giving offense by even proposing it. Confidence, however, is reposed in your
discretion.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Belknap to Mr. Fish.
War Department, Washington City
,
February 3, 1871.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge your
reference to this Department on the 28th ultimo of a copy of a recent
dispatch from the United States minister to Mexico, informing the
Department of State that, in accordance with the request of this
Department, the Mexican government has authorized the governor of the
State of Chihuahua to co-operate with the United States military
commander at Fort Davis in a campaign against the hostile Indians in
Texas; but that the United States troops cannot be permitted to pursue
the Indians into Mexican territory without the consent of the Mexican
congress; also, calling attention to the offer of the Mexican government
to assist the United States authorities in restoring to the territory of
the United States certain straggling bands of Indians now in Mexico.
In reply, I have the honor to inform you that the military commander at
Fort Davis has been led to expect the co-operation of the governor of
Chihuahua in his campaign against the Indians, and it is, therefore,
only necessary now to ask that, with a view of assisting any future
operations that may become desirable for the protection of the citizens
of both sides of the Rio Grande, the Mexican congress be requested to
grant the requisite authority for the troops of the United States, under
such conditions as may be deemed proper, to pursue within the Mexican
border such hostile Indians from the United States as may flee into
Mexico to escape their merited punishment.
With regard to the removal of the fragmentary bands of Indians, you are
informed that the Indian Bureau is now engaged in the necessary
arrangements for their removal, an appropriation of §25,000 having been
granted for the purpose.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. W. BELKNAP, Secretary of
War.
The Hon. Secretary of State.