TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1860-1916
337
acts certain additional conditions from the Indians-hitherto unmentioned and unknown to them or this Office. The Hon Sec- retary asks the further opinion of this Office herein. The in- formation solicited cannot be more clearly expressed, than that set forth in the two letters referred to-the first written by myself on the 30th ult. and the 2nd by my Chief Clerk, in my absence, on the 6th inst. They were both written with a full knowledge of the obligations of the Govt and the just expecta- tions of the Indians, and of the impending disastrous conse- quences that would result from a hesitating and faithless policy, should such be pursued by the former. Said conditions do not accord with the Governor's telegram to me, date 14th April which says. "Letter received, would prefer to delay release of Indians till 20th of May, when Legis- lature will have adjourned, and I can visit Ft. Sill myself." Nor does it accord with his letter to this Office (date 22nd ulto) in which he suggests still further delay (till 15th of June) by reason of the prospective continuance of the session till that time. He does not how~ver press this latter extension.-"If it causes anry inconvenience at all, or interferes with any plans of the Commissioner or the Department at Washington" (copy of said letter transmitted in Office letter 6th inst.) The condi- tions imposed are further inconsistent with the instructions to this Office contained in Bureau letter of March 7th which di- rected report looking to release of the prisoners in harmony with the good faith of the Indians, and the promises of Govern- ment. Thus has this Office been led to the conclusion that the Governor of Texas would be guided in liberation of said pris- oners by the judgment of the President and the Hon. Secretary. The conditions now exacted are the dismounting and delivery to the authorities of their horses and arms, which to them is their all. I regard this ultimatun entirely impracticable, and a movement to enforce the same would result in open hostility. If it were possible to dismount and disarm the Kiowa and Co- manche, it would require a force retained, sufficient to surround their Reservation, and that of the Cheyenne, and others as this coercive step would cause an affiliation of these Tribes of the Plains, under a common sympathy, and for their common safety. The execution of these conditions would be a virtual abandon- ment of the humane and peaceful policy we have been earnestly laboring to maintain, and cannot receive any encouragement by this Office.
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