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No. 72 LETTER FROM M. DUVAL TO P. H. BELL
Seminole Sub Agency. Oct 21. 1850.
Sir,
By the bearer of this Mr. George Aird, you will receive a letter on affairs I think of some interest to the people of Texas. I have instructed Mr. Aird to proceed as far as San Antonio and endeavor while gone to find out the prospect of having the negroes arrested referred to in my official letter. There being such a number of them, mostly women and children, it might be made of interest to a number of men or a company of Rangers to enter into their capture as a speculation; as it will pay well if they only get one Hundred. Should the negroes be arrested, I wish to be informed of it at the earliest moment, even should it be necessary to hire an Express for that purpose,-as I would wish to procure from the Indians immediately such authority as would enable me to have them sold for the owners benefit:-to do away with the necessity & trouble of having them brought all the way back. Among the negroes who ran off last Winter and joined Wild Cat, there were about eighteen or twenty (originally the property of Seminoles) who belonged to my brother W. J. Duval -who is since deed. I learn that about Twelve of these negroes are now with Wild Cat's family on this side the Rio Grande, near some Mili- tary Post, possibly at the crossing at Presidio;-for whose de- livery & confinement at San Antonio, so that I can get them, I will pay a Reward of $50 per Head.- I will place in Mr. Aird's hands a list of their names, and if there is any plan which you could advise, or course to pursue by which they may be speedily recovered, I would take it as a very great favor to give me such assistance.- Public duties prevent me at this time from visiting Texas myself. I have the honor to be Sir Very Respectfully Yr. Mo. Obt Svt. M. DUVAL
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