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INDIANS OF TEXAS. 
cultivation of the soil ;" and I fully endorse the sentiments contained
in Agent Whitfield's report of September 4, 1855, in regard to those 
bands. 
I perceive, by reference to your last annual report, (page 9,) that 
by a convention the western end of the Choctaw country should be 
thrown open to the permanent settlement of the southern Comanches, 
Wichitas, &c., &c.; it "s to be regretted that that measure
has not 
been consummated. I have heretofore directed your attention to that 
subject. Those Indians have been in friendly intercourse with the 
Indians at this agency, and have frequently asked the interference of 
the agents of Texas in their behalf, and say they are prepared to settle
down; they are now under no restraint, and several serious depreda- 
tions on our citizens have been traced to them lately; it appears that 
they are not under the control of any agent; they reside about 150 
miles from this agency, on the east side of Red river, and are conse- 
quently out of the jurisdiction of the Texas agents. 
There are also two bands of Comanches, viz: the "Noconee" and 
Tenawish (middle Comanches,) who inhabit the same country and are 
similarly situated. The influence exercised by those bands, in their 
present condition, is extremely detrimental to the settlers on the In- 
dian reserves of Texas; as they are under no control, they commit fre- 
quent depredations on our frontier settlements, and have in the past year
made forays into Mexico, stealing numbers of horses and Mexican 
children, who, are held in captivity. Whilst they are permitted to 
maintain their present position, they afford a place of refuge for the 
refractory among the tribes now settled, and have on several occa- 
sions induced the young warriors of the Comanches, who are settled, 
to join them in their fbrays. I notice by Agent Garrett's report, 
(Creek agent,) that there has been some negotiation between the Creek 
chief, Tuckabatchee Micco, and those bands in regard to a *settlement; 
now the whole result of that negotiation amounts to this: that they 
wished some point where they could trade their stolen horses for arms 
and ammunition, clothing, &c.; and there has been a very extensive 
trade carried on during the summer. It can be proven by Indians here, 
that at one time Jesse Chisholm and other traders introduced and 
traded to those bands 75 rifles, ammunition, &c., which they have 
since used in depredating on our frontier; and the Indians here, who 
are actual settlers, protest strongly against the course pursued by 
them, as they are liable to be brought into trouble on their account. 
Should any action be taken by the government in relation to those 
Indians, it should be done in concert with the Indians and agents of 
Texas, as no Indians outside have anything in common with them; 
and, as the supervising agent, I must be permitted to protest against 
the action of all the parties interested, as the whole proceeding is 
directly in opposition to the policy now being pursued towards the 
Indians of Texas. In order to correct the evils growing out of the 
condition of those Indians, I would most respectfully suggest that im- 
mediate measures be adopted to settle them down similar to the Indians 
of Texas, and that there be concerted action between the agent who 
may have charge of them and the agents of Texas, as those bands are 
nearly related and have intermarried with the Texas Indians, and 
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