Amos T. Akerman to William W. Belknap, 13 December 1871

Dec. 13, 1871. Hon. Wm. W. Belknap, Secretary of War. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, transmitting papers relating to depredations committed on the border between Texas and Mexico. I have directed the District Attorneys of the two Districts in Texas to inquire into the facts, and, if they shall discover that the Neutrality Laws of the United States have been violated, to prosecute the guilty parties.[no handwritten text supplied here]I have referred them for information to the military officers of the United States within their respective Districts. I return the original papers, as you request. Very respectfully, &c. A. T. Akerman, Attorney General.