“ The Mexican population of El Paso have risen en masse and seized all the civil authorities, Judges Howard and McBride, and hold all of them prisoners in jail. The rioters number about 400 under arms; they have scouts and pickets out, and sentinels posted. They seem to be well organized. All the Americans in this county, numbering about 30, are in peril of their lives. No American is allowed to communicate with the prisoners. The rioters are expecting aid from volunteers from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande. ”

“ While they believe a great part of the agitation on the frontier is occasioned by those who wish to complicate matters between this Government and Mexico, and believe also that President Diaz earnestly desires peace with the United States, the frequency with which these raids are made upon property of American citizens, necessitates a decided movement to prevent them, either by holding the Mexican Government to account or by stationing a sufficient military force along the Rio Grande to protect it. ”

“ The trouble is with our won population and about the location of the lands on which there are salt lakes. I have no reason to believe that any citizens of Mexico have taken part in the troubles, but the population of El Paso County is wholly composed of citizens of Mexican birth. ”