TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1860-1916
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returned a few days ago without having succeeded, and con- firmed the report that both tribes had parties out in Texas. So we were warned in time and kept our horses secure. But who would have expected that they would be bold enough to go to Bexar Co. all though we know as I have hinted above that the Chiefs of both tribes have repeatedly boasted in Piedras Negras and Santa Rosa that they would visit San Antonio. The extent of their depredations committed by the several raids during this moonlight I am not yet able to state The people in this part having waited twenty years in vain for better days in regard to protection, will certainly not commence a new serve of years of toil danger and perpetual loss by murder and robbery of this savages and loyal as they allways have been to the government, will leave a country where the General Gouv- ernment neglects the principal and most sacred duty.- Protec- tion of life and property. Your Excelency will I am assured [il- legible] my words as a censur to the Texas Authorities. I am convinced and have the proof that Your Excelency have done and will do what can be done for us under existing depressing circumstances. But I apprehend that in consequence of the clamor of the frontier people, the general Government in doing something in the premises will fall in the old error to adopt half measures, and as they in Washington generally judge our Indian Affairs to be analog with them in the Northern part of the Union select agents who are entirely ignorant of the peculiar habits and nature of the Indian tribes roving about in West Texas. [illegible] we have to select from two evils the lesser, let us try to conciliate this tribes by a fair treaty, locate them to a region out of danger, keep our stipulations fair and honestly .and if they stray off a hair breadt from the contract the pun- ishment must be so severe that they are disabled -to transgress once more. In conclusion I will state that the Lipan tribe having had their hunting grounds formerly in this parts, and were kept and maintained for a number of years by the U. S. Indian Agents here in the vicinity of Fort Inge, until they under pleas of having been illtreated by said Agents In 1858 they left the Agency at Fort Clark and commenced hostilities, and since that time the victims sacrificed by their fury can be counted by the hundreds and the vallue of the damage done on property may count up to a million. In one, or other way they must be disposed of,
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