Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. III

TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1846-1859 99 a progression which is perfectly irresistible to their feeble pow- ers. The result of such an issue must be, their entire and abso- lute extermination; which, by the way, will not be effected with- out much disaster and bloodshed on our part. The Federal government alone is competent to prevent a catastrophe, which, however oppressive to the ancient occupants, is necessarily con- sequent to the progress of civilization. The St.ate has not the means to extinguish the Indian titles to the spacious territory over which they ream in pursuit of the only means of subsist- ence they know, and which they claim by the emphatic right of occupancy for "time immemorial" to them. She cannot provide them another and more secure, because remote, country for their future habitation. Such country can be found oniy in the region of the Rocky Mountains, beyond the local jurisdiction of the States, and is disposable only by the Federal government. To effect this humane policy,-the only practical substitute for the actual extermination cf the Indians,-it is indispensable that the Federal government should become the proprietor of the vacant domain of Texas which comprehends the territory over which these erratic people wander in quest of game. To reclaim the Comanche from the chase, and adapt and reconcile them to the less attractive labors of agriculture, if it be not utterly impracticable, would require many years of experimental tuition, to the very initiative of which they are habitually averse, and which they never would consent to receive from the insulated and defective authority of the State. The general gov- ernment only can manage this delicate subject, of so deep, abid- ing, and growing interest, happily for all parties, and without great blood-guiltiness to so-me of them. Your Obedient Servant, DANIEL [sic] G. BURNET. Henry R. Schoolcraft, Esq. [Henry Rome Schoolcraft, Historical and Statisticctl Information Respecting the History, Condition, a,,d Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States (6 Vols.; Philadelphia, 1851-1857), Vol. 1, Pgs. 229-241.l

No. 79 LETTER FROM G. T. WOOD TO CAPTAIN FITZHUGH Executive Office

Powered by