Petition From the Citizens of Navarro, McLennan and Ellis Counties to Governor P. H. Bell 
[July, 1852?]

Originally published in "Texas Indian Papers" by Winfrey Day.
Note: misspellings left intact

To his Excelency P. H. Bell Governor

The undersigned Citizens Residing in Navarro, McClelen and Elis Counties would respectfully Represent to your Excelency that the Indians on the upper Brazos have killed about Sixty of the soldiers at the upper station and are committing depredations upon the frontiers and owing to their unprotected and defenceless situation they would Respectfully ask your Excellency to to extend to them that protection that they have a rite to expect from a Government that is able and should be willing to protect its Citizens from the Depridations of a Savage enemy they are apprised of the Delicate duty they are asking of your Excelency But when the assure you that it is no Idle pain from Enty rumor but from unmistakeable facts that they make the appeal they hope and believe that your Excellency will extend to them that protection that the Laws and Constitution authorise you to do. If your Excelency should not afford to them that protection that they really stand in need of they are bound to suffer in loss of lives and property. They there fore ask your Excellency to authorise the raiseing and organizing of a Company of Rangers to range upon the Northern portion for some short period. By so doing it will be the means of perhaps saving the lives and property of many of the citizens of Texas. It may be asked why this demand is made.

Military Posts when there are already upon this Frontier. It Reply it may be said in truth that they Give no protection to Citizens as They rarely have a force sufficient for camp duty and to Gard the Military Stores.

By granting this Request you will quiet in a Great degree the pains of many of the Citizens.