OPERATIONS IN TEX., N. MEX., AND ARIZ. [CHAP.XI.

gence. We almost immediately took up your communication, and you have, general, in the letter Numbers 5, and of date 11th instant, the result of that interview.

In addition to the concessions there made by the governor, he informed me that "if even the assent of the President had come to him, sanctioned by the act of Congress, he did not think he would permit Federal troops to pass through the territory of Chihuahua to invade Texas."

In regard to the second point, that he would not give his official sanction to the occupancy of the territory of his State by foreign troops, but hoped the Apaches on the frontier would be kept quiet. This was after I referred him to the law of nations in regard to the rights of" hot pursuit," instanced the invasion of Shreveport, La., in November, 1838, by Texas troops, when in "hot pursuit," of the Caddoes, and stated to him that such invasion was not deemed or treated as a wrongful one by the Government of the United States. The right to pursue Indians, even into the city of Chihuahua itself, had been granted by Don Revella, when governor, to Judge Simeon Hart. Upon that point, if ever rendered necessary, your troops will have no trouble. [Judge Hart made this application in 1858 to Governor Revella, under the instructions of General Garland, then commanding in New Mexico.] As to the right to purchase supplies in Chihuahua, embraced in third point, the governor assured me no steps would be taken to prevent it, and, although the presence of your command would increase the price which the people of Chihuahua would have to pay, yet that, independent of this, we should not be excluded.

I spent an evening by invitation with the governor at his private residence, and where I met many persons, and dined with him at his brother-in-law's (Moyo) next day.

The governor appeared anxious to have the best relations established and continued between his State and the Confederate States, and I took leave of him, satisfied in my own mind that he would not break or cause to be broken the relations that now exist.

I found Chihuahua in a delicious climate, in the midst of mines of untold wealth, with rich agricultural and grazing lands near by , and yet the city becoming smaller in population and more and more reduced to poverty every year. These mines and their soil need the inducement of capital, energy, and enterprise, which can only be induced thither by a stable and enlightened and constitutional government.

I have the pleasure to report that the custom-house dues I was by you instructed to have remitted were ordered by the governor to be remitted, and the governor paid me the compliment to put in my hand the order to the collector at El Paso to have the duties remitted and the bondsman released. He stated that at all times whenever necessary he would be pleased to afford protection to the persons and property of the citizens of the Southern Confederacy.

It becomes my agreeably duty to report that I took letters from no one else in Texas to Chihuahua but from HonorableSimeon Hart, and that through his introduction and his influence I received the most marked and attentive consideration. He is well known and commands high respect and great credit in Chihuahua.

Permit me here again to congratulate you on having been instrumental in obtaining the first official recognition by a foreign government of the Confederate States of America. All the credit due such an achievement I trust will be awarded you.

I remain now, as ever, most truly, with great respect, your friend,

JAMES REILY, Colonel First Regiment, Sibley's Brigade, Army of New Mexico.