The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-06-18

have been generally furnished by contract from tn,
Western states, and are not suited TO the climate o.
Texas They have been purchased, too IN mos
instances by those who are at best but poor judges
of horse flesh and folse economy, low prices, and
inferior articles having been the order Of the day
| the horses furnished are of the most inferior kind
perfect cOrn-cribs; and in the hands of those who
! neither care nor know how TO take care of them
| they soon become Observation-Disclosures fit even
with the best care for active and hard service take
| them off but few days from their corn, and put
them upon hard service, and they are used up
Consequently, when party of Dragons are sent
| out on a scout, they must take along wagon 10
/ haul their forage, pack II on their horses; in
either case the troops are rendered useless for
| tive movements.
Dragons, before remarked, will, | believe
be best 10 range amongst the foot Indians, and in
peace, believe they would also be the best troops,
II under vigilant and energetic officers, TO watch
| the Camanches and other prairie Indians, and TO
| maintain friendly relations with them; but under
the present state of affairs, they are worse than
useless
But at the same time that am satisfied that the
dragons cannot now control the Camanches, and
that Texas rangers can alone do it, yet as from
tier citizen Of Texas sincerely desiring peace with
the Indians, would be sorry TO number of
companies of Rangers called out to be organized in
the general way, and turned loose at this time upon
that frontier. A body of citizens thrown together
are not apt to select for officers those who would
do the best service but too frequently take some
good fellow, simply because he is a good fellow;
and such men generally lack the firmness and en-
ergy necessary for the present emergency; or else
they will elect some reckless hairbrain, who might,
at this particular juncture IN the state of Indian
affairs, when the greatest clrcumspection required
be guilty of ndiscretions which might result in the
worst consequences Unfortunately for the coun-
try, the late war has engendered in people such
thirst for military renown, and through that me-
dunn political advancement, that would not now
be willing TO trust some of those who were once
our best frontiersmen with command upon that
frontier, for fear they might sacrifice peace and the
safety of our citizens IN their pursuit of fame.
And yet, if the Government does not adopt effect
i've means, and that promptly, to relieve the frontiers
of Texas, the citizens will be forced to take their
defence into their own hands, and the result be
easily unprecedented
The Indian affairs of Texas have been much ne
elected since annexation, (not that there has not
always been sufficient force there If 1t had been
properly disposed off, The citizens upon the from
tier have suffered much and have borne patiently
so far; but they are now beginning to think that
forbearance is ceasng to be a virtue, and crisis
has arrived which should not be neglected by the
Government. Yet it is placed in an embarrassing
position. Daily accounts received from Texas
prove that the regular troops inadequate to the
those who are mounted can only be repulsed and
held in check by Texas Rangers. propose that the
Indians who do not belong TO Texas be sent out of
her; that the regular troops be concentrated upon
the borders of the Indian country, instead of keep
ing them within the limits of the white settlements,
as at present. If this be done, all Difficult upon
that portion of the frontier from the Colorado to
Red river will end.
Then let the President select some experienced
frontier man, in whose energy, skill, frmness, and
integrity he has confidence, and authorize him To
raise and officer one hundred picked men, TO be arm
ed and equipped the nature OF the service requires.
Let this force be stationed west of the Colorado
river above the mountains, as TO cover the passes
through which the Indians come down to the settle
ments, and IN position from which they can reach
the hunting grounds of the Indians and their fami-
hes, and with a company of infantry to remain at
some convenient point and take care of the neces-
sary supplies so that the Rangers could act with as
little encumbrance as possible. With this small
force thus organized and posted, will venture my
head that in SIX weeks after they reach their post,
an Indian outrage will not be heard of IN all
that country west of San Antonio and upon the Rio
Grande, which is now being depopulated and laid
waste. 1t may seem strange or even absurd TO
some thatany man in his senses should assert that
a mere handful of men accomplish what great
many have failed to do. Ii Is not the greatest num-
Der of men, but the positions which they occupy,
and their adaptation 10 the service IN which they
employed, which makes the difference. j speak of
| people and a country that | think know well,
and have full confidence IN the success of the mea-
sures which propose, if they can be given fair
| trial
have already stated that 1t is not by waging IN
discriminate warfare upon those Indians that peace
| is to be obtained and maintained. Nor is it 10 be
done by catching and killing few Of them occa-
slonally without following them to their homes, or
being able TO convince them of our ability to do
Such a course would only have the effect, as II has
| heretofore had, Of exasperatng and emboldening
them to repeat their attacks but if prepared with
| troops as expert on horseback, and as sklful in
workmanship as themselves, and capable of equal
endurance, they will soon learn that they can be
ferreted out and when found that they are sure OF
| good drubbng from which all their dexterity and
craft them; that their villages and camp,
i will be reached and DESTROYED then and not until
then, will they be peaceable. Such force ! re-
commend can accomplish all this, save many lives
much Of the property Of citizens, and thousands
\ 20 the Government.
The scheme may appear an extrayagant one, but
| II is evident that something must be done.
The officer IN command being appointed by and
directly responsible the President, and looking to
him alone for an approval Of his conduct, and for
continuation in service, might be trusted without
risk
| Il may be objected that the President has no au-
thorlty in law TO make such an appointment Is
there any law to prevent him. in such an emergency
as that which now exists, from authorizing a man
| TO raise a number Of men for particular purpose,
and be mustered into the United States service, II
approved and commissioned by the Governor Of the
State.
| This il is believed the President could do il
would meet with the appreciation Of the Governor
Of the State, and company Of picked men could
be raised at once
| A TEXAN.
The following lines by Henry Taylor, author Of
"Philip Van Artevelde,n are quite equal to those