TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1860-1916 273 thorities, as in the instance of the Lipan & Mayor of Zaragosa -and the Kickapoo & the authorities of Musquis; and that whatever I might learn or do in quietly passing among these people; that I had better approach the Mexican local authori- ties and the chiefs formally through the Gov of the state of Coahuila; Taking the range of some of their Camps that were near the way to Saltillo, I passed to the Capital & addressed a letter to the Gov which with his reply & its translation is appended. On my return to the vicinity of Musquis, I found the country flooded the streams impassable, and rainy weather pre- vailing. Indians whom I expected from distant camp had not come in and my interpreter, who went to the Laredo Camp, an indian man speaking good English & influential had not arrived. I had learned however the real feelings and desires of all the camps--of this whole indian connection, and that it wag to be back again at their former homes. They contrast the present with their former condition; for when they came here, they were rich and comfortable compared with a large portion of the Mexican populati [on] in many parts of the country; Now they are destitute, poor, utterly dependant upon the Mexicans and the procedes of their raids or robberies. Some of them are in the Mexican service as soldier scouts for the frontier-others as servants & laborers-; Asking an old indian if he would return with me- & talk with the great U. S. Chief at Austin- & then go on to This Great father the one at Washington, he said he would like for some of his people to go; but they had done badly and were afraid to go; but I said they are not a ff raid of U. S. officers & soldiers-no, He said the Texans-but I observed you can go with officers and soldiers through the country in safety-Yes, he replied-"but maybe so-soldier go to sleep & then bad Texans fire upon poor Kicka- poo again." I asked him what would convince them of their entire safety -in returning to their reserYations-he replied, that it was the wish of their whole people that a delegation from the reserva- tions in the United States should come to them, tell them every thing and lead them back. I told him the Gov had ordered a counsel with me about their condition & return to the U. S. He i;aid the Chiefs in counsel by Mexican authority-must make a show of pleasing the Mexicans-but that they could not speak ont-01· do anything but grunt-in a way that would mean nei-
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