Chronicles of Oklahoma

After several days of unsuccessfully combating the
Mexican donations of food and money with promises of land
in Indian Territory, the Commissioner left the village and
returned to his agency in Kansas. Immediately after his
return, he wrote a letter to Enoch Hoag reporting the details
and results of his unsuccessful trip to Mexico. In concluding
his letter he advocated that a new attempt be made for their
removal from Mexico to the United States in the near future.26
With the departure of Miles, the funds of the Mexican
Commissioner became automatically exhausted and the Indians
were in a worse condition than before. The foraying expedi-
tions into Texas continued, with the people protesting against
the condition which made their lives unsafe from day to day.
Living on ranches from 10 to 30 miles apart, they were helpless
against the inroads of the Indians.27 Col. J. J. Reynolds re-
ported to the Adjutant General that the citizens of Texas
would soon retaliate by organizing a force and following the
Indians into Mexico. The battle which would take place be-
tween Texans and the Indians on Mexican territory would
probably result in international difficulties between the United
States and Mexico.28
Nothing could be done until a new commission could be
arranged for by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. In the
meantime F. A. Walker suggested that the matter be called
to the attention of the Secretary of State, who in his turn
should call the matter to the notice of the Mexican Government
with the request that it prevent inroads of these Indians
into the settlements of Texas.29
No doubt this report, and others from responsible persons,
hastened the second attempt to remove these roving Kicka-
poos from the borders of Texas to Indian Territory. Two
special Commissioners, H. M. Atkinson and T. G. Williams,
Indians would not go into Texas with enough baggage to make a long
journey, nor with women and children, because these were all a hindrance
to traveling at a fast rate and the Kickapoos in Texas had every reason
for traveling with all speed. Miles would not have had any desire to
take them around Texas coming into Indian Territory from the West.
26Ibid.
27Ibid.
28J. J. Reynolds, Col. U. S. Cavalry to Adjutant General, U. S. A.
July 27, 1871, Report of Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1871.
29F. A. Walker to the Secretary of the Interior, 42nd Congress,
Foreign Relations of the United States, 1872-3, p. 395. Nothing came of

this attempt.

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