354
TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1844-1845
ment at the council with the various Tribes of Indians about to be held, and to which you are appointed Commissioners. The above mentioned Council will be celebrated at Post No 2, Te- huacana Creek, near the Brazos, the place also known as Torreys Trading House. The day fixed for meeting the Indians is the 15th of Septr, inst, at that place. The Superintendent of Indian Affairs, will place at your disposal when necessary, an invoice of Goods, amounting to $2000, and upwards, for the purpose of making suitable pres- ents to such of the Indians, as you may deem worthy, and ex- pediency may require. A most atrocious and unprovoked murder was com- mitted near the city of Austin in May last by Indians, on the persons of two citizens of Texas Messrs Hornsby and Atkinson, and it is presumed that some Comanche were accessory to the outrage. It will be your duty to investigate this matter and having ascertained who the perpetrators were demand their de- livery into the hands of Justice, that they may be dealt with accordingly. As the chiefs of all the bands of Comanche except Santa Anna have already entered into a Treaty of Peace with Texas, the main object of the present Council is to remove any difficulties which may have arisen since that time, to Keep the Indians quiet by a mutual renewal of friendly arrangements, and by making them presents. The Chief "Santa Anna" has manifested a desire to attend the Council and Sign the Treaty made with his fellow Chiefs last year. The President desires you will please cause the Treaty to be read to him, and let him Sign it if he concurs therein. The Indians in Council last year in October, (especial- ly the Comanche) refused their assent to a permanent divisory line, as proposed by the then President, General Houston, and the Commiss'ioners in Council. His excellency will not there- fore desire you to urge this point at present, contrary to their wishes, They were then satisfied that the line of Trading Houses should be considered as the line, designating the grounds of the Red Man, and the PreS'ident has no objections that it should remain as it is, if the Indians desire it; but if on the contrary as it is rumored, they have changed their minds, you will please hear all they m~y have to say on the Subjcet and report to h'is Excellency what they desire in the matter in order that the Government may, after due deliberation, determine and make
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