190
TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1846-1859
other location made on any vacant land within the limits pre- scribed by the Legislature. In carrying out the views of the Legislature it will be neces- sary either to remove the western ind'ians to the tract we have selected, or to give them a location in the country which they now occupy, and we beg leave with all defference to state as our opinion from what we have been able to learn of the Mescalero that they will not willingly remove from their old planting grounds between the "Presidio del Norte" and the "Horsehead Crossing" of the Pecos where they have planted corn for sev- eral years, and we cannot resist the strength of our own con- victions that the course which will secure the most speedy, peac- able and permanent settlement of these people is, that of giving them the lands which they have already cultivated and which from the best information we can obtain are at the present va- cant. We would state further, that in the event of a change being made in the location of the land for the western indians we are of one mind as to the particular point which should be substituted. It is along a valley in the mountains lying between the "Horsehead Crossing" of the Pecos and "Presidio Del Norte," where there is a fine stream (Toyah Creek) of good water, arable soil, and an abundance of pine and oak woodland. One of the undersigned (R. S. Neighbors) having visited the lo- cality, and be'ing cognisant of the facts above stated. We would beg leave to suggest in conclusion the propriety of speedily communicating with the Mescalero through their Agent in order to ascertain their disposition and wishes previous to a decision regarding the location for their benefit, and should the Department determine to make the change, it can in our opinion be accomplished with very little additional expense to the Government, as the portion of country we have mentioned west of the Pecos River is in a locality which has already been explored by United States Officers and is throughly known. Accompanying this report will be found a copy of the field notes and plates of the surveys of the different tracts referred to, Copies of which have been distributed as directed in our instructions from the Departments of War and Interior. R. B. MARCY Capt. U. S. Army ROBT. S. NEIGHBORS U. S. Special Indian Agent [Endorsed] Report
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