Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. III

TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1846-1859

114

No. 91 RESOLUTIONS FROM P. H. BELL TO U. S. CONGRESS [February 7, 1850] in The Congress of the United States Washington, D. C. Gentlemen:

Under the 11th Section of the Joint Resolut.ions of the Legislature of the State of Texas, ap- proved the 7th day of February 1850, it is required of the Exec- utive to transmit to the Congress of the United States, through her delegation, said joint Resolution and accompanying me- morial of the Legislature "with such directions, statements and views as to him may seem right and proper." In compliance with this Act I have the honor to state to the Honorable Congress that the military service referred to in the joint Resolution, and for which suitable provision is most respect.fully asked, was originated under the most trying con- tingencies upon our Indian frontier, and rendered absolutely necessary from multiplied aggressions, repeated in rapid suc- cession. Appeal after appeal of the most touching character, from reliable sources, were pressed upon the Executive, and a State Government claiming to be regular and operative in its functions, would certainly have been derelict in one of its high- est duties to have withheld from a portion of its very worthy citizens timely and proper military aid. The assistance ren- dered was, it is true, obtained without the ordinary forms of authority from the General Government, and the appeals so often repeated were inconsiderately met by the State Executive. The many embarrassments incident to an irregular call for troops were fully anticipated, and a proper respect for the opinions and views of the General Government, relative to the employ- ment of a force involving heavy expenditures, was entertained by the State authorities. I am happy to be able to state that the difficulties which were expected to arise ·in organizing and bringing into active service a competent military force, without special authority from the Government were fortunately over- come, and in a manner compl'imentary to the patriotism and chivalry of the State. Without a positive guarantee of pay or subsistence, a sufficient military force, generously responsive to

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