Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. III

TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1846-1859 73 if not--entirely defeat the wish of the General Government, to settle the boundary line between us and those tribes, or make any treaty with them. The State of Texas, just admitted into the confederacy; hav- ing resigned to the General Government all her available sources of revenue, and being compelled to resort to direct taxation for the means of carrying the State government into operation, is not in a condition to incur the expense of keeping these volun- teers in the field-She relies confidently upon the Government of the United States for protection against the savages, and I feel assured that it will be afforded. Under the belief that you will not hesitate to instruct me to receive into the service the volunteers mentioned, I have written to the Cap_tains of the different companies, ordering them to keep the same in active service until they hear further from me, and to afford all the security in their power to the frontier. Should you think favorably of the application now made to you, I would be glad that you would authorize me to appoint some one, to muster the troops into the service, as all the regular of- ficers, now at San Antonio, may be withdrawn to some remote point, where their services could not be had. For the reasons mentioned in my letter of 31st July to Maj. Fauntleroy, I would also request that you would authorize me to call into service an additional company, to occupy a position mid way between the stations assigned to Capt's Smith & Stapp-This would render the line of posts, in all respects, complete. In conclusion I would remark to you, that the five companies above referred to, were intended to serve for the term of six months, and I believe the Government would consult economy by employing them for that time only-Should you, however, feel compelled, under the late act of Congress, to require them to enlist for twelve months, there will be no difficulty in having that requisition complied with. I respectfully request an early reply.

Very respect.fully Your obt. Servt. (signed) A. C. HORTON

Hon: Wm L Marcy Sec'y of War

j J. Pinckney Henderson, Executive Record Book, Number 28, Pages 56-58.)

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