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TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1860-1916
carried away. On the North west the Kiowa are the principal depredators aided by a portion of the wild Comanche, and all the Lipan. The Southwest has been depredated upon by a band of Kickapoo, that went to Mexico during the war, aided by Lipan and Mescelero, who stay in Mexico and the El Paso region of Texas. Immense herds of cattle and horses have been driven off, and our outside frontier counties have become depopulated, with great loss to the unfortunate people who had no other homes. It is very desirable that a new treaty should be made with these Indians, and that the commission to treat with them should go from Texas. They do not believe that Texas is any portion of the U.S. They have regarded it, since the days of the Republic, as a separate country, and to fully impress them with the true state of the case, the Government Commissioner who may be sent to treat with them should be accompanied by a Texan, Known by them to be such. I trust your Dept. will get up such a treaty, and let it be held in the Wichita Moun- tains, where all these people can be got together, for the two- fold purpose of getting from among them our unfortunate cap- tives, and to show them that the Federal Government is deter- mined that they shall respect Texas, as a part of her territory. I can name several gentlemen in this State of long experience in Indian affairs who would be exceedingly useful in making a treaty. No pay or presents should be given them for the return of captives, and they should be convinced, that after a treaty the smallest violation of it should be visited with severe punishment. The several tribes should be required to agree to punish any other tribe who may violate its treaty promises. I have most respectfully to request the app_ointment, by the President, of Doctor John Shirley, as Agent for the Wichita Agency, and trust you .will make my request known to the President. He has long been a trader at the Agency, before the late war. He did not participate in the war, and can take the required oath. He understands the Comanche language. He remained and practiced medicine among them gratuitously through all their troubles and misfortunes. He is well qualified and I feel sure can be of more real service to the Government than any other person that can be selected. The people of Texas have a greater interest in this agency and its successful management, and the influence over the wild tribes that can be exercised by it, than any other people of the Government.
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