Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. V

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70 taken towards the Red River, with the view to overtake them, if possible, and bring them to punishment.

I have the honor to be Yr Excy. mo. obedt. srvt. GEO. DEAS Asst. ·Adjt. Genl.

His Exy. P. H. Bell Governor of Texas Austin

Geo. Deas

[Endorsed:]

Asst. Adjt. Genl & c. To

Jan 14 '60

Gov. Bell Relative to Indian -depredations & c.

No. 53 LETTER FROM GEORGE W. CRAWFORD TO GEORGE T. WOOD War Department, Washington, January 19th 1850 Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your commu- nication of the 14th Ultimo, postmarked the 21st, and received the 17th Instant. Its purposes are, as it appears to me, to show that the pro- tection of the frontiers of Texas, and about one third of its set- tled Territory, is insufficient from the want of a numerical mili- tary force, its adaptation to the repulse of the neighboring tribes of Indians, and the establishment of a Military depot at Corpus Christi. As regards the amount of force employed in Texas, and its equipment for the repulse or pursuit of the Indians, I am sure Your Excellency could not have made a comparison of what has been done for Texas and for other portions of the United States, which are equally exposed to the same or greater dangers from the same kind of assaults. Nor is it supposed that you could have fully considered the comparative strength of the Military en- gaged in protecting the Texan frontier whilst she was a repub- lic, and since her annexation to the United States. It is believed that whenever the comparison is instituted, the result will be according to the ratio of one to seven. Or even in respect to the --

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