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12 285 Hd. Qrs. Dept. of Texas,

                                                          San Antonio, Tex., April 5, 1872.

HATCH Major John P. Hatch, 4" Cavy. Commanding Fort Concha, Texas

Major,

            I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of march 30th, Enclosing Sergt. Wilson's report of his very creditable affair with the horse-stealers, which I have noticed in Orders, and the statement of the captured New Mexican.  This man is a citizen of the United States, captured while making war against the Government therof.  No one can make promises of pardon and Exception from punishment, for such offences, but the President.
    All we can do, is to promise our good offices in his case, should he be thought to deserve them.  I do not think you should have made him any promises without authority, as they will not, in all probability, be held to be valid.   The President may however, in view of valuable information and services, deem it proper to grant him pardon, but certainly not, until he has Earned it.