TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1846-1859
191
No. 126 LETTER FROM R. S. NEIGHBORS TO E. M. PEASE
San Antonio Texas December 7th 1854
Dear Sir
I learn from a letter from Majr E Steen Comdg. Fort Bel- knap. That there is a huge Body of the Friendly Indians Now assembled near his post. They give undoubted evidences of their friendly disposition. '!'hey number about 1800 Souls, and have assembled with the full intention of settling on the Indian Reservations as soon as the Govr is prepared to settle them- I learn that It is more than probable that the troops now assembling at Fort Chadbourne under Captain Newton, will make no discrimination between hostile and friendly Indians and Majr Steen as will as the citizens on that portion of oui frontier is fearful that, by an attack on the friendly Indians by those troops we may be-forced into a general Indian war. Beliving that you approve of the policy of sittling our friend- ly Indians on the lands selected for them and being assured that the policy will be carried out fineilly by the Genl Govern- ment. altho Now delayed : I would respectfully request that you would write to Genl. Smith on the subject and request him to suspend all hostile operations against our friendly Indians until such time-as the Genl. Government may take definite action on the subject--- ! shall by next stage proceed to the city of Washington and bring the whole subject of our Indian affairs before the proper Departments of the Government. and endeavour to induce them to adopt the Policy Ind'icated- by the secret grant of Lands for Permanent Settlement as the definite policy of the General Government in relation to the Indians of Texas. If you have not already done so, I would be pleased if you would write to our delagation, particularly Genis. Rusk & Hous- ton so that I may have the influence of your approval to the policy of Letting our Indians down- and providing for thence- forth- In accomplishing that very important measure for our State, Texas will have relieved herself entirely from the Indian depredations that has heretofore disgraced;- and retarded
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