Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. III

TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1846-1859

120

numbers and all necessary supplies. To place ourselves on an equality with these people, whilst we have such advantages, does not appear to me to be a good policy, when we look at the great number of valuable lives both in the Settlements and in the Army which are risqued and jeoparded by a want of means to force in every event perfect success. The predatory war now going on will be .continued for ever, unless we exercise the strength we possess to put it down at once. I presume the delay in taking the proper steps to effect this most desirable object may be traced to the desire of the Government of effecting some agreement with the State of Texas regarding a proper Boun- dary, and placing these Indian tribes on the same footing as those in the North and North West now under the protection and sovereignty of the United States. Allow even this to be effected, it will be a long period before it can be completed, and then probably not as to Mexico. In the latter ca3e the number of Posts must be increased on the Rio Grande. There should be strong Garrisons at a point on this river in the Great Bend apposite San Carlos, which is the key to the country called on Disturnell's map "Bolson de Mapimi." Indians passing at this place go to Chihuahua, Monclova, Paras and Durango-laying the whole country waste. Another point is the Presidio Del Norte, equally important. I am not informed as to the precise disposition which is intended to be made of the troops ordered from the 7th to this Department- whether to establish new Posts on the Rio Grande or to pursue the Indians to their vil- lages who are depredating on the American Settlements on the frontier, extending from the Rio Grande to the Red River. In the event of a Boundary being established for the Comanche and other tribes of Indians on the borders of Texas, I have no idea such a line will be respected unless these Indians are subsidized, receiving annuities as the northern tribes, be- cause they actually have not the means of subs'istence unless they follow the Mustangs, wild droves of horses, which are to them what the Buffalo is to the Blackfoot, Crow and Pawnee. If we succeed in keeping them from stealing and plundering on our own soil, they will be necessarily forced into Mexico. Until they become in some measure Agriculturists it cannot be expected they will depart from their old habits- We must give them annuities, establish among them Farmers and Black- smiths, or exterminate them by force.

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