Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. V

109 through the most reliable sources of depredations having been committed which makes our blood run cold whilst we address you. Troops in all probability must be raised to drive back the savage invaders of the country,-supplies must be prepared- and arms must be furnished There is now no adequate protection provided on the part of the state for the safety of our frontier population. We cannot think of the depredations already committed by this warlike and treacherous tribe of Indians, who now claim a force of five thou- sand efficient warriors without the deepest solicitude for the inoffenceive and helpless setler, who with wife and children has sought a home in the exposed limits of our state, or can we think of the foul murders perpetrated by this Commanchee army, on our good citizens and officers of the government, who at their countrys call and for their countrys good have exposed and lost their lives, without a wish to avenge their blood and drive back the Indians who with tomhawk and scalping knife have tram- pelled upon the honor of the country and spilled American blood. Lastly we deem the outrages which have been committed on our western frontier-along the banks of the Rio Grande, (where the lives and property of the best citizens of our state have been taken by lawless hordes of Mexican banditti and to make provi- sion for their protection or redress their wrongs,-) an other important consideration in favor of conveneing the legislature The condition of our western frontier is doubtless better known to your Excellency than to your memorialists. Yet we feel tho. removed from them that the honor of the state is involved· and that means should be immediately used or steps taken to surpress the violence and stop the bloodshed of which your me- morialists have been informed and which we much fear will, if unsurpressed lead to greater violence and involve our country in a vindicative war with a neighboring nation We would not thus long, have imposed ourselves upon the attention of your Excellency but for the deep feeling we have shown and the important interests involved. And we do most fondly hope and anxiously desire that our wishes thus expressed will meet with responsive emotions in your own breast and that our homes--our political rights-and personal security may be protected and guaranteed by an early action of the Legislature of the state. With the deepest anxiety for your continued happi-

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