272 Texas, where more than double the number of peaceable citizens including women children have been butchered and scalped within the last twelve months, and added to this the evidence of formi- dable combinations to carry on the work more effectually here after unless prevented-we hear of no such assistance being given either to avenge the wrongs already done or prevent their repetition. As I have before intimated to the Sec of War, the existing state of affairs must not-cannot be permitted to con- tinue. Already depredations have been commenced along the line of the San Antonio and El Passo mail route and south ward on the Rio Grande which have been free from them for a season, and yet others at different points which will greatly increase in number as the more paperable season approaches for their opera- tions, Every intelligence brings confirmation of the extreme ex- asperation of the Indians and their combinations to revenge themselves on the settlements of Texas the coming winter, for the punishment which Ford and his rangers inflicted on them in June, I communicated to the Deptmt, last winter intelligence re- ceived through Maj Neighbors Supervising Agt, &c. That a des- perate and rengade band of Kickapoos had crossed over from the indian territory with Govt. passes, upon whom suspicion rested of having committed in past the depredations, on the northern frontier The country has been visited by them on another of their foraging expeditions this summer. They were pursued to their crossing on Red River after the murders in Jack county and the strongest circumstantial evidence exists that it was them in connexion with white men who committed the murders; But without the interposition of government there is no way of reaching and punishing them except by invasion of the friendly indian territory which will necessarily involve a general collision, if done., Texas would avoid such necessity; but, their forays must cease, The force called out by the state has been several times called on for protection at one of the reserves owing to dis- satisfaction created by the appearance of other Indians amongst them, It has been but a short time since a large number of horses were stolen from one of them, when Capt Martin in com- mand of a band of 30 Rangers stationed in the vicinity for the protection of the settlements was called on and in company with a number of friendly Indians followed in pursuit, the result of which has not yet been learned. The enclosed letter of Col Leiper to the supervising agt discloses an unpleasant state of affairs. It will be impossible to control those on the reserve without a suf- ficient force and restraining others to their own limits. If with
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