10. Mr. Hemphill to Mr. Floyd.
Washington, April 26, 1860.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit you an official letter from the Hon, E. W. Cave, secretary of state of Texas, showing that the frontier is now suffering the most deplorable evils from Indian hostilities, and that speedy relief should be extended by the government of the United States.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
John Hemphill.
Hon. John B. Floyd, Secretary of War.
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State Department, Austin, April 13, 1860.
Sir: Notwithstanding the fact that we have now in the field a minute detachment in almost every frontier county, the depredations continue. The utmost vigilance is kept up ; active scouts are continually out in about twenty counties, besides the force which has been sent from the interior, but Indians still are seen, and losses are daily reported.
General Houston has called into the field four companies, in addition to those already out. They will be under command of Colonel M. T. Johnson, and will make an expedition against the Indians, starting from Fort Belknap on the 1st of May. The expedition will number about five hundred men.
We had accounts yesterday of Indians in Burnet county, about 40 miles from here. They are also ravaging the settlements west of this, and especially the German settlements on the Medina, within thirty miles of San Antonio. Three men have been murdered in that vicinity in the last few weeks, and a number of horses stolen. The Indians are, doubtless, Mescabaros and Lepans from Mexico.
An express has just arrived with news of the killing of Mr. Cross, in Eastland county.
Texas has now over 1,000 men in the field. The treasury will not hold out long if this drain upon it continues. Our citizens, hoping that the United States will soon authorize an efficient ranging force, have thus far responded to the call of the governor with cheerfulness.
Unless the frontier settlers are soon relieved by forces from the interior, starvation will be upon them and their families, as no crops can be made.
The people look to Congress for aid. I hope humanity will rise above all other considerations, and that the cries of a suffering people will be heeded, whether it comes to the ears of their southern or northern brethren.
Very respectfully,
General Houston has called into the field four companies, in addition to those already out. They will be under command of Colonel M. T. Johnson, and will make an expedition against the Indians, starting from Fort Belknap on the 1st of May. The expedition will number about five hundred men.
We had accounts yesterday of Indians in Burnet county, about 40 miles from here. They are also ravaging the settlements west of this, and especially the German settlements on the Medina, within thirty miles of San Antonio. Three men have been murdered in that vicinity in the last few weeks, and a number of horses stolen. The Indians are, doubtless, Mescabaros and Lepans from Mexico.
An express has just arrived with news of the killing of Mr. Cross, in Eastland county.
Texas has now over 1,000 men in the field. The treasury will not hold out long if this drain upon it continues. Our citizens, hoping that the United States will soon authorize an efficient ranging force, have thus far responded to the call of the governor with cheerfulness.
Unless the frontier settlers are soon relieved by forces from the interior, starvation will be upon them and their families, as no crops can be made.
The people look to Congress for aid. I hope humanity will rise above all other considerations, and that the cries of a suffering people will be heeded, whether it comes to the ears of their southern or northern brethren.
Very respectfully,
E. W. Cave,
Secretary of State.
Secretary of State.
Hon. John Hemphill.