164
TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
with the blood of their women and children, and they did me the justice to believe, that I would not listen to the voice of lamentation, nor witness the work of havoc and destruction, without making some endeavours, for the safety of the living, and in retribution of the dead. With this confidence in my disposition· to protect our. exposed settle- ments, I came into office under the solemn obligation, that nothing on my part should be wanting for their speedy amelioration: a pledge sanctioned by every consideration of justice, humanity and patriotism, and the faithful fulfilment of which has proven a national blessing. The cries of captivity and murder have, of late, been seldom heard upon the borders. With the exception of a few recent massacres, re- sulting entirely from the temerity of our own people, the frontier has for some time enjoyed an almost equal security with the interior sec- tions of the country; and is, at the present moment, in a state of tranquility heretofore unknown; and which we hope by proper vigi- lance and activity, to render as permanent as beneficial. The war, however, has not been an indiscriminate one. I have en- deavoured to deal with the several tribes as their conduct respec~ively merited. The Carronchawas inhabiting the coast, the remnant of a once powerful race, but now too few to be formidable, have given us no uneasiness, or any cause of complaint; whilst the Lipans and Tanka- was have not only manifested a disposition for peace, but have in a few instances, proven useful to the Government in the capacity of spies. To the Coshattees 60 and Alabamas, who seem to have some equitable claims upon the country for protection of their property and persons, the hand of friendship has been extended, with a promise that they shall not be interrupted in the peaceful enjoyment of their present possessions, so long as they continue the same amicable relations towards this government which they have hitherto preserved ; 70 but the Chero- kees, presumptions in their pretentions, and hostile in their conduct, have met with a prompt and long merited expulsion. 71 They have been properly chastised for their repeated barbarities, and driven from the country; whilst their associate Shawnees of equivocal character, occassionally friendly, and frequently hostile, have been moved beyond our borders by a peaceful negociation, 72 as satisfactory to them, as it is believed it will be to Congress and the nation. With the wild Comanches, the skulking Kickapoos, and various other marauding tribes, the war has been active and incessant, and the success with which it has been carried on against them in there own haunts, has been the means of preserving the distant settlements from being either destroyed or abandoned. These operations have not only proven of in- calculable benefit at home, by affording the people an opportunity of raising sustenance for the coming year, but of equal advantage to us "See nos. 1326 and 1362. '°According to Lamar's letter to foe Cushattas of July 9, 1839, on file in the Te~as archives, "Indian Affairs Papers," the Cushattas, ·under these condi- tions, were promised the same probction guaranteed by the government to its own citizens. 71 See nos. 1297, 1372 and 1373. 72 This treaty i3 in the Texas archives, "Indian' Affairs Papers," under date of Aug. 2, 1839.
Powered by FlippingBook