troops to enter Mexican territory in pursuit of marauders.
As early as January 1871, Nelson, United States minister in Mexico, asked that the latter concession might be granted, and repeated the request in April following. On both occasions he was refused; and in April 1875 Secretary Fish, in order to satisfy the Mexican government on the point of international honor, proposed to Minister Mariscal that an agreement should be made by which the troops of both nations might cross the boundary line in pursuit of savages, bandits, and desperadoes. Such a mutual concession would have been derogatory to the dignity of neither republic, and there is little doubt that Lerdo, during the peaceful years of his administration, could have taken measures that would have satisfied the expectations of the United States. But this he neglected to do, and when the revolution broke out it was beyond his power. Consequently the depredations on the frontier became more frequent and irritating. Somewhat later during the last-named year the United States minister, John W. Foster, again called the government's attention to this matter, and receiving no satisfactory reply, finally informed the minister of foreign affairs that if Mexico would not afford the necessary protection the United States would assume the responsibility of doing so. Affairs thus remained till 1877, during which the representations to the Mexican government were frequent and more urgent. It is not surprising, however, that in the distracted condition of Mexico during this period they met with no immediate attention. But the excitement in Texas had become threatening. The demands of that state for redress and the application of self-protection were so clamorous that on June 1, 1877, orders were issued from Washington instructing General Ord to cross the Mexican frontier in pursuit of marauders on United States soil. He was, however, charged to request the coöperation of the authorities.
