226 and wage war upon us, I do not believe.
They have on all occasions, when called upon, cheerfully shouldered their guns and gone against the Comanches-their hereditary enemies. They have re-captured horses and turned them over to their owners, and can show ten scalps they have taken since the commencement of the late difficulties. I find them now eager to be led against the hostile Indians. These are among the many facts which have induced me to say a few words in favor of a people who can be made immensely servicable as auxiliaries against the wild tribes. While on this subject, I hope you will allow me to call your attention to the Indian service in this state. Almost every State or Territory in the United States, where there are any consider- able number of Indians has permanent Agents. The Indian serv- ice is based upon contingencies in Texas. The appropriations for it have usually been obtained as amendments to the general ap- propriation bill, and conceded as a matter of grac~ rather than a right. The fact is, Texas has done more towards civilizing her Indians than any State in the Union- She has set apart a mag- nificent region of country for their especial use; and has ex- tended every facility in her power to keep them at peace, and to reclaim them from a nomadic life. In return for these acts, the United States have made our Agents, Special Agents, and have failed to protect the Reserve Indians from the forays of the wild Indians, and have allowed Texas to protect herself. Under the circumstances it is right that our Agents should be placed on the same footing with those of Arkansas and California. A de- mand of this character from you, would have weight at Washing- ton City- Again, Texas should have something to say in the appointment of the Agents. Political considerations have been brought to bear, and men have been sent here to take charge of our Indians, who never saw an Indian in their lives, when there were within the limits of the state men eminently qualified to discharge the duties. The fruits of this has been bitter to the frontier. At present we have two efficient Agents-Neighbors and Ross, but I tell you confidentially the other is a cypher, and worth as little on the right, as the left. Many of the difficulties of the last six or eight months can, in my opinion, be traced di- rectly to his inefficiency. He is worn out physically, and is really unable to perform the incumbent duties of his office, I have every reason to believe he has permitted an almost uninterrupted inter- course between the Comanches of his Agency and the upper bands. The Agency Chief, Katemsee, avers this himself, and
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