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line, claim to have their residence within the United States. But whilst they remain in Texas, they must be submissive to the laws of Texas, regulating the intercourse of the Indians and the whites. If they do not regard the orders of this government, the President of Texas has the right to c;:all on the dragoons of the United States and require of them to remove such Indians as are disobedient to our laws back to the limits of the United States, that they may no longer continue to disturb the peace and quiet of our frontiers. I wish to treat all Indians with kindness; but if they remain within our limits they must respect the authorities of the country. By Indians hunting and trading below the line without author- ity, they are liable in their intercourse to obtain intoxicating liquors, which will lead not only to impositions upon the Indians, but to quarreling and violence; and, in all human probability, to killing-and defeat all the efforts which have been made for the establishment of peace. The Indians will be liable, also, to have their horses stolen by bad white men; whereas, if they were to remain above the line, it would not be the case. If they were to remain above the line, a white man would have no excuse for stealing their horses, and would be punished; but by corning below the line they break the law themselves and lose all claim to its protection. If men do not respect the law, they cannot expect the law to protect them or to stand by them in the time of trouble. I heard threats of violent men before I left Washington, against the Indians, if they came into the settlements hunting, or in any other way, without authority. I do not like to be troubled in this way; and if men will only behave themselves and obey the law, it will keep trouble out of my way. I can keep bad white men from crossing the Indian line so long as the Indians will stay within their country; but if the Indians will break the law by coming over the line, and will not keep their promises, white men will know it, and they will not hesitate to violate the law in the same way. To remedy the present evil and to silence the complaints which are made to me against the Indians, I have to direct that you will forthwith proceed to the several parties or communicate to them with certainty, that they will retire above the line and report to the agent at the trading house, that he may have it in his power to report through you to the President that they have done so, and this will relieve the President from hearing the complaints which are now made ~o him, and he will then have
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