JOINT RESOLUTIONS. CHAPTER I. JOINT RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE OFFICERS ELECT TO ACT UNDER EXISTING LAWS UNTIL FURTHER LEGISLATION. SECTION 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Teras, That the sheriffs, clerks, justices of the peace and constables, elected and qualified according to law, under the Constitution of the State of Texas, enter upon the discharge of their duties, respectively, under the laws now existing; which laws for said purpose are hereby continued in full force until further legislation on the subject. SEC. 2. That this resolution take effect and be in full force from and after its passage. Approved May 23, 1870. CHAPTER II. JOINT RESOLUTION ASKING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO PREVENT THE REPUBLIC OF MEXICO FROM HARBORING BANDS OF INDIANS, WHO DEVASTATE THE SOUTH-WESTERN FRONTIER OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. WHEREAS, during the last five years certain bands of Indians, known as Kickapoos and Lipans, residing in the States of Coahuila and Tamaulipas, Republic of Mexico, have been making constant raids into the settlements upon the south-western frontier of this State, killing scores of our citizens and driving off large quantities of live stock into Mexico, thereby retarding the settlement and development of many counties in this State and tending to the depopuG L—16 lation and destruction of the scattered settlements on our southwestern frontier; and Whereas, these Indians have resided, and are still residing in and contiguous to cities and villages of the Mexican States named; and Whereas, it is notorious that these Indians have been constantly aided and encouraged by the citizens of Mexico in their murderousforays upon our soil, armed bands of said Indians, with known hostile intents constantly crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico to this State with the full knowledge and consent of the Mexican authorities, and returning from such expeditions laden with booty captured from our unfortunate citizens, without opposition or interference on the part of the Mexican authorities; and Whereas, there can be no relief for the people upon the southwestern frontier of this State so long as the Republic of Mexico continues to protect and furnish a safe asylum to these savage bands of thieves and murderers; therefore, Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That the government of the United States is earnestly requested to at once take measures to compel the Republic of Mexico to fulfill its duties as a friendly power, by no longer permitting its soil to be used as an asylum for the bands of thieving and murderous Indians who, for the last five years, have devastated the south-western frontier of this State, with the full knowledge of the Mexican authorities and the aid of the Mexican people. Be it further resolved, That copies of this preamble and resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States, and to each one of the senators and representatives from this State in the Congress of the United States. Approved May 24, 1870. CHAPTER III. JOINT RESOLUTION ASKING THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO IMPROVE THE BARS AT GALVESTON, PASS CAVALLO, ARANSAS PASS, SABINE PASS AND BRAZOS SANTIAGO. WHEREAS, The interest of commerce and the prosperity of the State of Texas would be greatly advanced by the improvement of the bars at Galveston, Pass Cavallo, Aransas Pass, Sabine Pass and |