350 would have been replied to at an earlier period if my entire at- tention had not been engaged in concerting measures having for their object the quieting of the prevailing excitement. I have appointed a board of Peace Commissioners who have been sent to the Reserve, and I entertain the strongest convic- tion of the success of the mission Should its members be enabled to reach the scene of disturbance before any general collision between the parties. I cannot concur in the belief expressed by you that this is "eminently a State matter" in view of the fact, that jurisdiction over the territory embraced within the limits of the Reserve has been expressly ceded to the U. S. Government. As for offences already committed they will be proper sub- jects of investigation by the judicial tribunals of the country State and Federal as the case may be. If extraordinary measures should become necessary to ensure the faithful execution of the law I shall then be ready to accept such as the State Executive is clothed with by the laws and constitution.
I am Sir very Respectfully Your Ob Servt HR RUNNELS
D. E. Twiggs
Brvt Maj Genl
San Antonio
No. 259 LETTER FROM JOHN SALMON TO GOVERNOR H. R. RUNNELS Stephenville Erath Co Texas June 22nd 1859 Gov. H. R. Runnels Austin Texas Dear Sir I would like to know of you whether you did not commission The men who organized here in the Summer of 58. We organized for the protection of the [frontier] & expected to draw arms from the Government. You have commissioned the officers of Bell & Coryell recently and it is very certain that we needed protection at that as the Indians were depredating very frequently. The re- turns of said organization and Elections were returned with the returns of the County elections as the law directs. And We are
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