346
J. D. BUCHANAN, Att-at-law and Notary Public ERNEST ALTGELS Atty at Law THEODORE WIEDENFELD & C AUG. FALTIN P. M. A BRUNS W PELLYMAN U. RISCHE
TH. BECHSTEK C. H. ALTGELT A. PELLYMAN J. W CORUS J. HADDENBROOK OTTO BRINERNANY L M LEMETS CHRISTIAN Gow
No. 255
LETTER FROM GOVERNOR H. R. RUNNELS TOT. D. BUCHANAN Executive Office Austin April 22nd 1859 T. D. Buchanan & Others Gentlemen, I received this morning a memorial signed by a number citizens furnishing details of Indian depredations in the County of Kerr and of the murder of one of our citizens by them. It seems how great and [ ?] the exertions of the authorities occur- rences so painful cannot be prevented, I have already exerted all the authority with which the Executive is clothed by the consti- tution under the most extreme circumstances if I have not ex- ceeded it without being able to prevent these. If I had not already exhausted every power with which I was vested I should doubt the expediency of complying with the request of the memorial, because, as a measure of relief and protection it has been suffi- ciently tried and proved wholly inadequate to public expectation, whilst at the same time the system is attended with an unbear- able expense to the public whilst without further Legislative au- thority I do not feel authorised to increase. The protection of the settlements must in a greater or less degree devolve on the in- habitants, and those who hold property interests, in proportion to the danger and risk incured from their positions, It is impos- sible that the state should be able to do this, for five thousand rangers stationed at posts on the frontier could or would not pre- vent the occasional depredations with so great an extent of terri- tory to protect. I can see no present remedy for existing evils except in the vigilance and watchfulness of those exposed to dan-
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