TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1860-1916 275 bal life and organization of these people-scattering them at different posts and organizing them with Mexican volunteers into permanent Military Colonies to be planted along the Coa- huila frontier. But not however untill all other sources of ex- istence shall be eshausted-not untill destitution, starvation and a state of raralose [ ?] shall overtake them will the indians consent. to surrender up their tribal relations traditions & ac- customed mode of life and government. They will not of their own good will commit tribal suicide, though individual indians will doubtless enter the Colonial ranks; but it will be a part of the indians policy-, as in the sold [i]ering to which the extracts given refer-. the Mexican posts, on the frontier will be depots for the supply through the indian Colonist, of materials to his outside brethren. I know Gov. Cepada and many well meaning Mexicans think differently, they believe the indians can be easily controuled, though their own people never have been. So long as these peoples shall remain in a border state, will they be used, as instruments of mischief and plunder, of rob- bery & murder over the line and among our people and where they are not in fact of themselves the real opponent, they will still be made the apparent chief actors-the scapegoats for the unlawful deeds & depredations of all the bad characters that gather along both frontiers, leaving our people and government with out recourse, for who shall discriminate, between Mex- icans, Kickapoo & wild indians ! According to Gov Cepada & his people every good intention we know that he has neither the material means, the [ ?] nor the moral power to control-to civilize, to support & keep these people under subjection. Considering the condition of the Rio Grande frontier-con- sidering the state of Mexican society-considering the mode of life-habits and customs of the indians to which they cling with deathly tenacity. Considering the deep spirit of revenge they harber towards the people of Texas that must be brought into actuily [actuality] by almost daily occurrences & opportunities in the intertwined relations of the frontiers. Considering all these things, it must be granted that the settlement of so large a body of hostile indians even in detached posts along the bor- der of an adjoining state--ean be regarded as little less than a declaration of perpetual raids & robbery upon the property, and war upon the lives of American citizens.
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