Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. V

146

No. 110

LETTER FROM PETER H. BELL TO HENRY REDMOND AND OTHERS

Executive Department State of Texas Austin, December 13, 1852

Messrs. Henry Redmond and others, Citizens of Webb & Starr Counties

Gentlemen : With reference to the subject matter of your peti- tion to this Department dated Bellsville, October 14, 1852, rela- tive to the restoration to rightful owners of horses, mules, or other property that has or may be taken from Indian or other depredations by the Company of Mounted Volunteers under the command of Captain Owen Shaw now in service of the State on your frontier. I have the honor to state that particular instruc- tions were transmitted to Captain Shaw from this Department on the 30th of last September of which the following is an ex- tract, viz: "The customary plan in accordance with the laws of the late Republic relative to property that might be recovered from the Indians by the· troops was, a restoration of all the articles to those parties claimant who properly identified them, and an equal distribution of the remainder among the command who captured them, either in bulk, or by the division of the proceeds of their sale, as might be found practicable. It is therefore my desire that you continue this system as the most correct and just to all parties interested." A rigid compliance with the above instructions will be re- quired from the command under Captain Shaw.

I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Very respectfully Your Obet. Servant

(signed) P. H. BELL

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