270 for better results, than have attended my efforts in the same behalf heretofore, In doing rn I beg leave to call your attention to the enclosed copies of communications from Maj Gen Twiggs, Maj R. S. Neighbors supervising agent Texas Indians, Mr. M. Leeper sub agent of Lieut Van Camp of the Army and the within enclosed letter of the Hon Guy. M. Bryan, to yourself, On exami- nation it will be found that these communications only furnish additional testimony of what has been so long represented to the government-the insufficiency of the military forces in Texas to give that prompt and adequate protection required; for, although the movement of troops into the Indian country directed by the sec of War is what has been so long desired, because, it has been well understood as the only effectual method of bringing them to subjection, and ending the predatory warfare which has been carried on, I beg leave respectfully to suggest the inadequacy of the force provided for the purpose, if it be contemplated there- with to reduce the bands against which it is intended to move to subjection, In the same connection I would call attention to the unprotected condition which the removal of the detached force leaves the frontier. By letter of Gen Twiggs to the Dept of June 16th 1857 it is represented that the Government Posts extend over a country "thirteen hundred miles in extent" and that "these posts are so distant from each other, that marauding parties of Indians can easily pass between them without being discovered, and if dis- covered it is verry difficult to overtake them, indeed there is not one case in fifty where a command can come up with them; the posts are situated on the most eligible points for the protection of the frontier, but ten times the number of Posts and men we have cannot give entire security to the inhabitants and their property". The Department must be apprised that the force de- tached, is drawn from the only active and therefore the only effi- cient corps stationed along the line here described by Gen Twiggs, and if as is represented it was insufficient when stationed at the regular posts, now that so large a proportion of it has been as- signed other duty the utterly unprotected condition in which ex- tensive districts of country are left must be manifest to any one giving the subject a moments reflection If the force sent out under Major Van Dorn was sufficiently strong to cover and occupy the Indian country during winter and drive them with their families from their winter quarters, to the open plains they would then have little opportunity for infesting and plundering the settlements; But I have before expressed the
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