TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1846-1859
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the miserably deluded race now constantly entailing wretched- ness on our weak settlements and ultimate destruction upon themselves. Political considerations and the adjustment of cer- tain preliminaries between the general and State Governments may, it is true, be important and necessary, before a fixed In- dian policy can be established with the Tribes of this State, or the existing difficulties be entirely removed; but the ordi- nary suggestions of human·ity would seem to indicate that cer- tain measures, though temporary, should be employed to meet present exigencies. The blood of many worthy but unfortunate men yet warm upon our prairies cries aloud for sympathy and appeals to the General Government for the interposition of its strong arm. In adverting to the defects of the plan of defence as it now exists on this frontier, I beg you will be assured, General, that I have no censures for you, but, on the contrary, in common with the people of this State, I have witnessed, with pleasure, the active and praiseworthy efforts you have made to afford re- pose to our extended frontier. The cause of our continued In- dian troubles is most clearly traceable to the City of Washing- ton, and I am also very far from acquitting our State Govern- ment from participation in the general blame. During the ses- sion of the last Legislature, I pressed the subject of our Indian relations upon its notice with zeal, and with the best views and experience I possessed, I invoked them to enact laws cooperative with those of the United States specially applicable t.o our own frontier, and that would enable me, as the Executive, to regu- late the intercourse of our Citizens with the Indians, and when actually required, to give military aid. All acknowledged the necessity of such action, but, unfortunately aborbed in other matters this most important measure was utterly neglected; The consequences of the omission are and will continue to be felt heavily by me, as I cannot lend, so far as I desire, that aid and cooperaton with the military commander of the frontier, as regards the movements and transactions of our own Citizens, nor extend to them in pressing need, temporary assistance if required, even until such time as your own command would af- ford it. I am not without a lively sympathy for the destitute, unhappy tribes of Indians who inhabit our Country by no other
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