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[red ink] 1872

are exasperated by the continual depredating to which they are subjected from Mexicans and Indians located in Mexico, and there is no certainty that this exasperation will not assume a retaliatory form if the depredations continue, and they will continue so long as Indians are permitted to remain in Mexico and make of it an asylum from which they can with impunity depredate upon the Texas frontier. Dec 19 4 Encl Dec 20 72, Copies of 27 18 & 19 D.T. herewith enclosed

Sgd, C C Augur Brig Genl USA Commanding [red ink] Official (Sgd) G. B. Russell [red ink] A.A. A.G

[in left margin] [red ink] 1873 War Sec of [red ink] 15 [red ink] Citizens of Texas Endorsement on Com^n and list of names of the people of Travis Co, Texas, attached to Petitions addressed to the Secretary of War upon the subject of the construction of a Rail Road from the western terminus of the Central R.R. to the Rio Grande &c C1 D.T. 1873 Received Jany 4, 1873 At the request of the signers of the enclosed petition, I respectfully forward these through the Hdqrs of the Mil. Div of the Mo. I entirely concur in opinion with the petitioners as to the good results likely to grow out of the construction of a railroad from Austin to the Rio Grande, not only in settling and developing the country through which it passes, but in the increased facilities afford the Government in protecting & quieting the Rio Grande frontier now and for the last twenty five years harassed and despoiled by the depredating Indians and Mexicans. Ft. Clark near the Rio Grande is two hundred and six miles from Austin, the nearest railroad point through this post, from the necessity of the case must pass its own supplies and those for Forts Duncan, Stockton, Davis, Quitman and Bliss, averaging probably over four million pounds yearly. Besides in the event of such a railroad being completed San Antonio, with Ft. McIntosh and probably Ruggles Barracks would be supplied by it at a great saving of time and expense. But more valuable in my judgement would be it bearing upon our border relation with Mexico. The terminal point on the Rio Grande of such a road, must of neccessarity [sic] be one of great importance. The commercial and other interests centering there and the business relation spring up in connection therewith, would demand and secure