Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. IV

TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1860-1916

111

I presume could be issued to them by the Commissary Depart- ment, if they should be located near a government Post. They should have some blankets, and other clothing, -a few cooking utensils etc- Then they should have a few farming utensils- & have twenty or thirty acres of ground broke up for them to cultivate, also a few cows, and a yoke or so of work cattle. Then an agent to take care of their interests etc. An ap- propriation of from five to six thousand dollars would supply these wants, -and annually afterwards for a few years fifteen hundred or two thousand dollars would be sufficient. Their agent should not receive more than from three to four thou- sand dollars annually-and should be resident in the neighbor- hood of their locality. In this connection I may also mention the remnant of the tribes of the Coushatta, and Alabama Indians, (perhaps 300 souls all told) are living on lands given them by the State in one of the oldest settled portions of it. The State has paid an agent to protect their interest for a number of years. They have made considerable progress towards civilization. They have small patches of corn · and vines very well cultivated.- They also hire out to neighboring farmers in the cotton picking season. But they need an agent to protect their interests etc and would be greatly benefited by a few gifts from the govern- ment. I have recommended to the Legislature to make provision for the Tonkawa, and the other tribes mentioned, in accordance with these suggestions, but owing to our great poverty as a. State, and a people, I fear no provision will be made for them, and make this appeal to you in their behalf.- Thousands of dollars of money is distributed annually by the Government to other tribes, who continually depredate upon our citizens, and I think if possible, something might be given to the un- fortunate ones, of whom I have written, who have always been peaceable and honest. As soon as the pressure of business now on my hands will permit, I desire to correspond with you fully in regard to the Band of Comanche, and Caddo, and other Indians, now at the agency, near Fort Arbuckle, Indian Territory. Recent reliable information from the chiefs of these bands informs me that their people are in great destitution and need immediate atten- tion,-and I trust you will not conceive it out of the way, for

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