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No. 49 LETTER FROM GEORGE M. '~ROOKE TO P. H. BELL Head Quarters 8th Dept.
San Antonio, January 10th 1850.
Governor: I have the honor to enclose for the information of your Ex- cellency, a communication from Major Van Horne, 3rd Infantry, commanding at El Paso del Norte, with two enclosures--one from Governor Frias of Chihuahua, and the other from Colonel Emilio Langberg, in relation to the conduct of a Mr. Ben Leaton, an Indian trader opposite the Presidio del Norte. I have no doubt, from the opinion expressed in Major Van Horne's letter, that the acts charged are true, and I have respect- fully to ask the interference of your Excellency's aid and author- ity in endeavoring to put a stop to this Indian trader's conduct, which is in violation not only of the treaty of peace between the United States and Mexico, but is endangering the lives and prop- erty of our own citizens, and other pursuing their peaceful travel and business on our own country and on our own soil. I have, at the samettime, no doubt but that all the Indian traders in Texa~ are more or iess engaged in the nefarious illegal and injudicious traffic complained of in the case of Leaton. You will also receive an extract from a communication of the 20th of August last, from the Adjutant General of the Army, addressed to me by order of the Honble. Secretary of War, par- ticularly on the subject of Indian traders. To carry out the views of the War Dept. I am ready at all times, and with great pleasure, to aid and assist in the execution of such measures as your Excellency may deem necessary and proper, with the forces under my command. I am, with high consideration Your Excellency's obdt. servt. GEO. M. BROOKE Bt. Major Genl. USA To His Excy. P. H. Bell Governor of Texas Austin.
Genl. Geo M. Brooke to Gov. Bell Jan'y 10. 1850 Enclosing copies of communications from Gov. Frias at Chihuahua, and of Col. Emilio Langberg, relative to the conduct of Ben Leaton, near Presidio.
[Endorsed:]
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