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D Hd Qrs Camp at Brazos Agency Texas 26th July 1859-
Sir,
Yesterday evening some little excitement was created among the Indians here, by a small party of armed men passing through the Reserve in sight of the Agency, who were supposed to belong to your Company. They did not approach the Agency, but passed around to the south of it apparently endeavoring to conceal them- selves. Presuming you must feel an interest in the preservation of peace between the Indians and Citizens and more particularly be- tween the former and your own men in the State service during the few remaining days they are to remain within its borders. I take the liberty of calling your attention to the above facts and to the dangers of further trouble and complication of affairs, if caution be not observed on both sides. You were instructed by the Governor of the State, as I learned from a letter you addressed to Major Neighbors, and which he kindly submitted to me for my consideration, not only to keep the Indians on the Reserves but to treat all as hostile found beyond their limits. Such being the case, and it being your avowed intention to carry out these instructions faithfully, it appears to me but just and proper that your men should avoid trespassing upon the reserves in the performance of that duty. You cannot suppose that the Indians can be made to comprehend your position or will look with friendly feelings upon parties of armed men scouting through their lands when they know that those same parties would attack and destroy them, if found outside of their limits. I have no other motive in making these remarks, than to preserve peace, and being placed here in the Service of the Gen- eral Government to protect the Indians. I must earnestly remon- strate against any scouting upon this Reserve, but the State Troops--There can be no objection to their visiting it in a peace- ful manner, provided they report to the proper authority at the agency, that it may be known who they are and that they are not here for any hostile purpose. But you must see yourself, the impropriety and danger of sending scouting parties through the Reserve where they are
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