Arizona miner., 1867-08-24
TERRIToRY or ARizoSA.
OFFICE or THE COVER SoR.
Prescott, August Sth. lSG7.


GESTaAG,-l regret to inform YOU that
the hostilities Of the Indians in this part Of
Arizona are unusually formidable and alarm
Ing. Raids involving robbery and murder
are Of almost daily occurrence. Many mines
and ranching camps have been attacked. and
the inhabitants, even Of the chief settlements.
are startled by the proximity and activity
OF large aud bold bands Of sayages evidently
bent upon extensive depredatious Herds
have been taken from within less than a
mile Of this town, and no road or trail i
considered safe for travel except by strong
parties well armed. / attribute this deplor-
able state OF affairs TO no want of energy.
perseverance, or discretion upon the part Of
Gen. Gregg, or his officers and men, Cwho
have rendered and are rendering most faith
ful service,) but TO the utter insufiicieney Of
the force at his command. Even if the mat
ter OF moving the troops at Camps Lincoln
and Mcpherson was entirely in his power.
(as think it should be- the total force in
the District if kept constantly in the field,
would not be great enough t. guard the
country, much less TO undertake the prompt
and successful punishment OF the alert and
crafty enemy. beg 90 call your attention
TO the fact that the number Of troops in the
District is far less in proportion to its size.
population and Importance, than in any OF
the several Districts into which you have
divided the Territory In order 10 ANYTHING
like speedy and vigorous aggressive opera
tons, which seem absolutely necessary for
the protection OF life and property, and the
holding of the country, at least six cavalry
companies should at once be added to Gen.
Gregg's command, and the troops at Camp
Mcdowell should also be placed at his dispo-
sal for cooperative movements. Moreover, ex-
perience has, 10 the popular judgment here,
in which concur, most clearly demonstra-
ted that il is impossible for the commanding
officer to act promptly, and with effect, un-
less clothed with large discretionary power,
and permitted to move all his troops accord
ing TO the exigency Of the hour, without de-
laying to submit his plans to San Francisco
for approval.
! am confident, that If provided with an
adequate force, and entrusted with the entire
control Of the same, Gen. Gregg will, within
few months, so punish and overcome the
hostile Indians OF this distict, however bold
their present attitude, that they will be
glad TO accept any terms the government
may think proper to give them, and will not
again seriously modest the whites.
In the emergency # the hoGr, am ap
pealed to from all quarters to take steps t,
raise Territorial volunteers, or to call out thu
militia. beg to enclose copies Of petitions
upon the subject and TO assure YOU. tina
nothing but the want Of means wLerewitl
10 meet the necessary expediture prevent
nv immediate action in the matter. | hay
little doubt'that either the United States
or the Territory, would eventually assum
the outlay, but it is impossible, owing to tn
interruption Of business here and the lossC
the people have sustained, for them to at
vance funds at this time upon any security.
I have therefore 70 earnestly request tina
additional troops be sent here with the lea.
possible delay, and TO assure you, that it
absolutely necessary that the force shout
be much increased in order TO the continue
occupation Of the country by the whites, IL
regular running Of the mails and the su,
cessful prosecution Of business OF any kin'
The conduct Of the Indians below the Gill
is such as to render it unsafe TO reduce tn
troops there, and in intimating that oth'
districts in the Territory have create
force proportionately than this, woul
not be understood as proposing an increa'
Of protection here at the expence Of their il
habitants.
am with much respect
Your obedient servant,
RICHARD c. MCCORMICK,
Governor