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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
the instigation of designing men, the war of Independence which succeeded shortly after put an end to all further action upon this subject, the subsequnt policy that has been pursued is a subject which is before the country and it is not my purpose to attempt a history of it as I have not the data upon which to found any opinion in regard to it- If the foregoing should prove to be of any utility to those who [shape] the future policy in regard to the Indians [our frontier] it will afford much pleasure in believing that [it has] been thus far usefull- I therefore beg leave to assure you sir of highest respect arid esteem I have [the honor] to be your most obt sevt. A. Hotchkiss [rubric] fEndorsed] In regard to to the Indians
No. 906
1838 Dec. 6, JOHN M. HENRIE, NEW ORLEANS, (:C,OUISIANA], , TO M(IRABEAU] B(UONAPARTE] LAMAR, HOUSTON, TEXAS Change in business plans since his letter [of Nov. 25]. A. L. S. 1 p.
No. 907 1838 Dec. 7, VAN NORTWICK TO [M. B. LAMAR]
Sir, Decatur, Ala. Dec. 7, 1838. From feelings of the most deep sensibility for for [sic] the pros- perity of Texas, I take the liberty of addressing you, as its Chief Executive & guardian of its peace & welfare; this letter. I do, so not from frivolous or unkind motives, as you will soon discover; but, from a sincere conviction that I have it in my power to enable you to place in the hands of your soldiers, an instrument, which at a com- paratively small expense of blood & treasure, will enable a small army to cut off, wherever it may reach a foe, whether in the Indian country around you, or, in the Capitol of Mexico, every enemy to the Star of Texas. After several years of experimenting, & what man,v would, no doubt, call folly, I have succeeded in constructing, on the most simple & useful principles, both as regards cheapness, utility & durability of construction, a gun, for Army purposes, more than any thing else, which is perfectly adapted to infantry or cavalry use, that will discharge sixty bullets per minnte, with as perfect safety, precision & force as the common rifle, & only requires two motions of the right hand at each discharge. It is also a shield. to the breast of the soldier, & is no more liable to get out of order than the com- mon musket. It is incumbered with not a particle of superfluous metal- Can't become heated, & is perfectly shielded from the cor-
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