Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. V

97

have committed murder after murder in this County,) and his reply was that he did not have it in his power to render me the aid I required in the present emergency-that he had no horses to mount his men on-the force of the county had been tried but was not sufficient. The cry now is from every American and Mexican living on this side of the river, protection, protection for Gods sake. But there is no protection no aid here that we can give them. The people, our own citizens and our best citizens, are being murdered and robbed of their property in open day. The laws of the State cannot be enforced, and it is impos- sible to predict what will be the state of affairs here soon, if there is nothing done--and done quickly. I hope to receive a few lines from you by return of the cour- ier who takes their documents to Austin, if not by him, by return mail. I am, in haste, Very respectfully Yours &c. (signed) P. NICKELS, Sheriff of Cameron County Executive Department, State of Texas. Austin Decem: 31, 1852. I hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a document on file in this Department.

CHAS: A HARRISON Private Secretary.

"A." No. 6.

[Endorsed:]

No. 77 LETTER FROM JAMES H. DURST TOP. H. BELL

Rio Grande City July 3rd 1852

To his Excellency P. Hansborough Bell, Governor of the State of Texas Honored Sir I have the duty, intrusted to me, of enclosing a Petition by

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