TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1846-1859
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I like yourself and Capt Plummer am acting under specific orders, and shall to the extent of my ability carry them out in good faith. I now have two scouts acting under those orders and shall continue them until the Indians shall be removed. I think that the State of Texas although not having the legal con- trol in the management of Indian affairs has a direct and vital interest in the management of Indians within her bounds by the Federal Government and that in the absence of protection in life and property by the latter the state government is in duty bound to interfere and afford the required protection. This the state is now doing while at the same time endeavoring to pre- vent unlawful acts by her own citizens. You take occasion to remark that while I was here as com- missioner "I was under the impression that you (I) would act "impartial" in your investigations but am sorry to see from the newspaper publications made by yourself and others that you had already prejudged the Indians in this Reserve and ac- cused them of having committed most if not all the late depre- dations on this frontier. Now sir as an individual I might view your remarks quoted as seeking a personal issue. I neither seek nor will accept such an issue. But for myself and the commissioners who acted with me I deny in toto your assertion. without exception the com- missioners previous to their appointment had been opposed to the assaults on the Reserves and had believed the charges were mainly unfounded though they were not familiar with facts on either side. Their report now published speaks for itself-indi- vidually no man on the frontier had labored more indefatigably and consistently with the lights before him to restrain excite- ment and establish a healthy and law abiding tone_among the people, than I had done and have continue to do as the muted voice of my own county as Bell will attest and various articles in its paper written by me will verify. But this is not a matter of any consequence when the inter- ests of the state are at stake and but for a sense of justice to my late colleagues on the commission I should not have replied to that portion of your communication Very Respectfully Your Obedient JOHN HENRY BROWN Capt Compy of State Troops
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