train of mules, and killed several Mexicans. Upon their return to
the Territory with their ill-gotten booty, the citizens formed a
company and took the property away from them, and returned it to
the owners in Magdalena, [a town of Sonora©©Ed.] and delivered
the robbers up to Major Steen, commanding first dragoons, to be
held in custody until Courts should be organized. They have again
been turned loose upon the community. In justice to Major
Fitzgerald I must say he was in favor of retaining them in
custody, and has generally maintained favoring law and order in
the Territory, but as he is only second in command he has no
absolute authority.

We have no remedy but to follow the example so wide spread in the
Union, and form a "Vigilance Committee"--contrary to all good
morals, law, order, and society. Can you do nothing to induce the
government to establish authority and law in this country, and
avert this unhappy alternative?

It is not desired by any good citizens, and tends to anarchy and
mobocracy, causing disloyalty in our own citizens and bringing
the reproach of foreigners upon our republican institutions. It
is impossible to progress in developing the resources of the
country under this state of affairs. The greatest objection the
capitalists of San Francisco have to aiding me in the development
of silver mines, is the insecurity of property, want of
protection from government, and general distrust of fair and
honest legislation.

They have no confidence that the guarantees of the GADSDEN TREATY
will be respected by the United States, in regard to land titles