[1664] [MENARD to HOUSTON]
[Peter J. Menard, Menard's Creek, to Sam Houston, December 30, 1835, accepting his appointment as captain in the 1st Regt. of Artillery.] [1665) [SMITH to FORBES]
Executive Department of Texas To John Forbes, Sam Houston and John Cameron Esqrs Gentlemen
The following will be handed you as your instructions on the part of the ·Government of Texas by which you will be governed in the discharge of your duties as Commissioners in treating with the Cherokee Indians and their associate bands; in conformity with your commissions. You will proceed to Nacogdoches as soon as practicable and enter on the discharge of your duties in the discharge of which, you will in no wise transcend the Declaration made and signed by the Consultation in November last-you will in all things pursue a course of justice and equity towards the Indians, and protect all honest claims of the Whiles, agreeably to such Laws compacts or treaties, as the said Indians may have heretofore made with the Mexican Republic. You will provide in said treaty with the Indians, that they shall never alienate their Lands, either separately or collectively, except to the Government of Texas-after purchase all their claims al a fair and reasonable valuation--You will endeavour, if possible, to secure their effective co-operation al all Limes when it may be necessary lo call the effective force of Texas into the field and agreeing for their Services in a body for a specific time-If found expedient and consistent, you are authorised and empowered to exchange other Lands within the limits of Texas not otherwise appropriated in the room of Lands claimed by said Indians and as soon as practicable, you will report your
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