WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1860
116
To S. F. JoNEs 1 Executive Department, Austin, August 6, 1860.
Lieutenant S. F. Jones Sir, Your letter of the 27th of July has just reached me. Replying I would say th_at you are well aware of the terms upon which the minute men were called into service. They were to maintain themselves and wait for the Legislature to provide means for paying for service and supplies. Reports of Indians being in the Country, committing depre- dations will not be taken as evidence of the fact, it must be clearly established by positive proof that they are in the Country and depredating upon the people, or the men will not be paid for service and supplies. And when a necessity actually exists for their being out, they should not be supplied with more than eight days rations at a time. In the counties south of you it has been fully ascertained that white men are committing most of the injuries upon the settlers, and several of them have already been hanged. The people of the frontier should keep a strict watch upon all sus_picious characters as the Executive cannot protect them from white Indians. Sam Houston.
1 Executive Rec1Jrds, 1859-1861, p. 202a, Texas State Library.
To JOSEPH M. Cox 1 Executive Department, Austin, August 7, 1860.
Joseph M. Cox, Coxville, Hill County, Texas. My Dear Sir, Your truly interesting letter was this moment received, and I immediately sent my private secretary into the City to see the Marshall and Sheriff in order to give them item of the news, and see if the person, spoken of by you, has been or is now in the City. Doubt not that every thing will be done to secure him if he is now in this place. I regret that you did not send a description of this person, as I have no doubt but that he will change his name whenever it suits him. Do pray send his description, and I would advise that the neighbors raise a purse and send after him, if he can be traced on his route. What age is he, what size, and what complexion?
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