Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. II

TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1844-1845

203

they require something to Stimulate them to activity and frame their minds to habits of Industry-these Indians are old friends and allies of ours, they are now poor and needy, deal with them accordingly, and as they are not parties to the Treaty made with the Comanche, and it is probable no friendly feeling ex- ists between them care should be had that they do not come in Contact until they can be brought together in Council and made friends-the same •instructions are given to Capt. Neighbors no blood must be shed. I am informed that a Mr. Pennington about a month since went down into the Settlements on the Colorado with a party of Delaware representing himself as their Agent and Sold at Bas- trop some $500 of peltries, Steps will be taken to arrest him- The Delaware are in your charge as their immediate agent and they must be made to understand that neither the Govt or its agents are not to be trifled with in this manner, all the head men of these little parties such as Jim Ned, Dela. Bob, Buffalo Wilson etc know the law as well as we do and they must obey it. St. Louis and the other Chiefs seem to have forgotten that by the 15th article of the Treaty they signed in 1843 they ar~ bound as Chiefs to keep their men out of the Settlements, and not permit them to trade with a white man unless authorized by some one of the Agents. You will take such measures to bring the'ir refractory spirits to order, as existing arrangements may permit, you can send over there Jim Shaw or Jack Harry or both with a "Strong Talk" to them or Col. Williams with either of them when he returns from the East, and Shall have handed in his report to you directed to me which you will for- ward. In reply to your 'invitation I will say that I have no particu- lar object in meeting the Comanche as traders, if any of their Chiefs or the Wichita Captains are to come in advise me of it, and I will certainly be present. It is probable I may make you a visit in all next month (March) under all curcumstances. Herewith I hand you other Copies of the act amendatory to the [illegible] law in addition to those already sent you I shall send you the Volume of the laws of last Congress so soon as out of the Press. Yr. obt st T G WESTERN Sup. Ind Affrs.

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