Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. II

TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1844-1845

160

No. 118 LETTER FROM THOMAS G. WESTERN TO BENJAMIN SLOAT AND L. H. WILLIAMS Washington Jany. 4th 1845 Messr. Sloat and Williams Gentmn. Your communication of 28th ult. pr. express is before me and I regret to find that so much delay has occurred in conse- quence of the present aridity of the Country not affording Sus- tenance for your animals on your intended route to which I have only to Say that, if Such is the State of the upper country, and there ·is no grass, we must Submit-for the present to the force of circumstances, you will nevertheless hold yourselves in readiness to embrace the first favorable moment to fulfill your instructions of the 14th ult.- The Caddo "Red Bear" and the Joni "Bead Eye" with others of their tribes arrived here on the 2d inst. with several packs of peltries, from a hunting expedition on the Colorado, as they Say, with a view to trade, but in accordance with law, they have have not been permitted to trade, and have departed for the trading house with all they brought-their introduction into the Settlements cannot be tolerated-it must be prevented by the Agents it is in violation of law and of existing treaties, Sub- versive of order expensive to the Government and very annoying -no indian must be permitted to come below the trading house except on Public Service or when sent for by the Govt. and then not without a passport from an Agent-There are now Several hunting parties on the waters of Little River, Brushy etc. you will notify them if practicable, not to come down that the law is positive and cannot be deviated from, they must go with there furs to the trading house to traffic. The "Red Bear" and the balance have been furnished with provisions, presents etc and all seem satisfied except Old "Bead Eye" he left yesterday quite [torn] which I mention for your Governments-They all complain of the high prices of Goods at the Trading houses, and make this a pretext for coming here to trade, it will be your duty as Agent, to See that all Indians

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