Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. V

54

No. 41 LETTER FROM GEO. W. CRAWFORD TO JOHN M. CLAYTON Copy War Department Washington, November 8, 1849 Sir, By a report from Major Babbitt of the United States Army. of which an extract is herewith enclosed, this Department is informed that a party of men engaged in the service of the Mexican State of Chihuahua, to destroy Indians, have recently crossed into the State of Texas and murdered a number of peaceable and friendly Indians for the purpose of obtaining the rewards paid for the scalps of those whom they kill. So inhuman an outrage should draw down upon its perpetra- tors the severest punishment and it cannot be doubted that the Mexican authorities upon being informed of the facts will take measures either to punish the murderers or to deliver them up to be dealt with according to the laws of the place in which the crime was committed. Unfortunately, however, the consequences of this crime may not end with the punishment of its perpetrators. The whole tribe of the unfortunate victims, naturally and justly exasperated by such atrocity, threaten the lives of all white men who may fall into their power. To allay this excitement will be difficult, though probably one of the most effectual means would be the punishment of the murderers in the neighborhood of the scene of their crime. This policy, as it is represented and seems to have been pur- sued, must necessarily awaken apprehension and great concern, on the part of this Government in respect to its obligations un- der the late treaty with Mexico for the restraint of the Indians within its borders. These acts are naturally calculated to excite the most desperate and deadly feelings on the part of the Indi- ans, who may eventually turn their resentments against the peo- ple of Chihuahua, and they, in their turn, complain that the United States have not observed and executed the provision of the treaty. It must be obvious also, from the lamentable example before us, that the policy at present alleyed to be pursued by the State of Chihuahua, is calculated to defeat its own object. The merce- naries engaged in its service will find their easiest victims among those of the Indians who are quiet and inoffensive and

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