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73 485. DAVID, E.J. [left margin] May 29. 1873. Governor of Texas His Excellency E. J. Davis, Governor of Texas, Austin, Texas Sir:

                       Understanding that "Satanta" and "Big Tree" have not yet been released, I take the liberty of enclosing you copies of two letters from the Commanding Officer of Fort Sill, as they bear somewhat upon the question of the restoration of these Chiefs to their people.
                       Copies of these same letters were sent to Washington at the date of their reception.  I agree with Capt. Sanderson, that as the Kiowa's were notified in Council by their agent, which with Indians is the official manner of communication, that their Chiefs were to be liberated and restored to them, their disappointment will be very great if it is not done, and there is too much reason to anticipate, that it will afford a pretext for renewed hostilities along the Northern frontier of your State.
                      I was opposed originally to the release of these Indians, but as the matter has progressed so far, that our word is passed to the Indians for their release, I apprehend much more trouble from a failure to keep such promise, than from their release and restoration.
                       The ides of the Indians that parties in Texas shall meet them in Council, I regard as an excellent one, but it is one that I could not carry out having no authority to order of sanction such Council.  I hope the rumor is correct, that your Exellency proposes to visit these Indians in connection with the consideration of the question of the release of their Chiefs.  I cannot doubt the good effect of such visit.
                                                                                  Very respectfully
                                                                                   Your obdt. servant

2 Enclosures. (Sgd) C. C. Augur 1995 L. R. D.T. '73. Brigadier General U.S.A. and Commanding 1517 L. R. D. T. '73. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________