152 property that was recaptured from the Indians by Captain Shaw's Company in the month of September last year. In reply to the contents of Mr. Bee's letter relative to the subject, and for your information, I have the honor to state, that about the end of last September, First Lieutenant Edward Bur- leson, of Captain Shaws Company of Texas Rangers, arrived here on express from that command, as bearer of despatches contain- ing Captain Shaw's report of his fight with a party of Indians on the 22nd of that month. During conversation on the subject of the engagement and its glorious result, Lieutenant Burleson re~ quested instructions for the government of Captain Shaw in the ultimate disposition of the recaptured property, which were ac- cordingly given, as will be seen by reference to the enclosed ex- tract of a letter addressed to· Captain S. on the subject. Your petition to this Department in this matter being dated October the 14th it was presumed that it left for its destination prior to the practicable return of Lieutenant Burleson. It was not received here until the 9th of December last; and these facts com- bined with the orders given to Captain Shaw, and his very par- ticular observance of all the instructions that had been issued respecting the discharge of the duties devolving upon his com- mand induced the belief that all things had been conducted prop- erly and with the strictest regard to the rights of every individ- ual who presented a claim to any of the recaptured property; this belief was confirmed by the receipt of another communication from Captain Shaw, relative to his command, dated December 27th 1852; an extract from which is also herewith enclosed. Consideration of all these facts still persuades me that it will be found upon examination the property has been restored in every instance that the proper proof of ownership was produced: and I trust that an investigation will result satisfactorily to all the parties interested.
I have the honor to be Gentlemen, Very respectfully, Your obdt: Servant (signed,) P. H. BELL
Gov: P. H. Bell-To Don Bacilio Benevides, Austin, Texas. - May 7th 1853. Relative to the restoration of the recap- tured property taken from the Indians by Captain Shaws Company in September 1852
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