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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
will not be done, is more than probable. To admit their claim to any extent, on any other conditions would entail interminable vexa- tions on our posterity. It would be parcelling out our territory to -strangers and intruders, and introducing into the very viscera of the body politic, an alien, independent and innately hostile people, who know no estraints of law, and are subordinate to no authority. It would not only establish the monstrous political anomaly of an abso- lute imperiwn in inperio; but what, is still more abhorrent, a lawless and intractible power, within an organized, enlightened and sov- eign government. At some future period, I may do myself the honor to lay before the Congress, some of the interesting and im- portant facts connected with this subject; and in the mean time in consideration of the embarrassments which surround our relations to these Indians, I would respectfully offer the following suggestions:- That there be established as early as practicable a line of military posts, competent to the protection of our frontier from the incur- sions of the wandering tribes that infest our borders; and that all intercourse between them and our citizens, be made under the eye, and subject to the control of the Government. In order to allay the apprehension of the friendly tribes, and 'prevent any collision between them and our own citizens, I would recommend that each Indian family be permitted to enjoy such improvements as they occupy, to- gether with a suitable portion of land, without interruptions or an- noyance, so long as they choose to remain upon it, and shall deport themselves in a friendly manner; being subordinate to our laws in all criminal matters, and in matters of contract, to the authorized agents of the Government. To this end the appointment of suitable agents to reside among the located tribes would be necessary, whose duty ;t should be to keep up a vigilant espionage, cultivate friendly relations, and as far as practicable, prevent all causes of interruption and col- lisions between the Indians and our own people. Commissioners might be appointed to make treaties to this effect, with such tribes as are disposed to peace and friendship, while those who reject the terms should be viewed as enemies, and treated accordingly. These gratui- tous and liberal concessions, on our part are perhaps due to the regarJ which we all entertain for peace. If unhappily they shall be found inadequate to secure that desirable object; and the Indians shall per- sist in their extravagant demands and resolve upon war, then let them feel that there are terrors also in the enmity of the white Il'an, and that the blood of our wives and children cannot be shed without righteous retribution. l\Iy great solicitude on the subject .of frontier protection has par- tially overruled the repugnance I have always felt for standing armies. In the present disturbed condition of our foreign an<l In- dian relations, the proper security of the country at large, and es- pecially the peace and safety of our border settlements, seem im- peratively to require the immediate organization of a regular, per-· manent and efficient force. The magnitude of that force mnst vlHy with circumstances; but until we shall have obtained a full acknowl- edgment of our Independence, and shall have either by treaties or chastisement secured our exposed fellow citizens from Indian aggres- sion or the apprehension of hostilities, I should suppose that, that
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