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and vicious Mexicans, who have attracted for years part to that line by prospects of plunder and robbery of the Texas frontier, and who are still retained there by their continued success in this business.

         At present Cortinas [underline] is that man and will continue to be so, as long as he lives, or until he is thoroughly whipped and broken up by our troops.  It appears to me, that except as an object, to which to address diplomatic formalities and correspondence, the Mexican Government might as well be left out altogether in settling this matter, as not being competent to control or even influence it.
         Let our Government authorize our troops to follow into Mexico and punish the robbers and depredators whoever they may be, Indians or Mexicans, and give us troops sufficient to meet the retaliatory efforts of Cortinas and his following, which will be numerous and bitter, and the matter can be settled in a short time, I believe.
         There is no doubt in the minds of many who ought to know, that the Mexican Government itself would be in reality pleased to have Cortinas broken up.  He is a perpetual source of anxiety and apprehension to it.
         I hope there will be no great delay in letting me know exactly how far I am to be permitted to use the troops, as indicated above.  I do not which to push this pursuit into Mexico beyond what the Government desires and, at the same time, I do not want to loose favorable opportunities that may present themselves to MacKenzie to repeat the punishment already given the Indians and also to adopt the same course towards the Mexican thieves.
                                                                    Very respectfully
                                                                    Your obdt. servant
                                                             (Sgd) C. C. Augur
                                                                      Brigadier General U.S.A.
                                                                      Commanding

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 532. "Telegram"