INTRODUCTION
MoRE YEARS AGO than I care to specify I walked pur- posefully if somewhat diffidently into the Archives of the Texas State Library seeking material on some of the institutions and personalia of the Republic of Texas. A kindly yet authoritative white-haired little woman straightened me out on what I was seeking, drew information from mysterious sources, and alto- gether impressed me with carrying more Texas history and more archival information in her head than I would have believed possible. I left, a bit over-awed by Miss Harriet Smither, the state archivist. Over the years I worked with Miss Smither and succeeding archivists and their assistants, always with an acute sense of in- feriority on my part. I came to learn what a cache of informa- tion the State Archives held and to wish that. somehow more of it could come out of Miss Smither's head and out of elusive and dusty envelopes, and into clean type and between hard covers. As much as I liked to delve into the Archives and to visit with the people in the office, I did long for a more convenient means of getting at much of the material than by the time-consuming process of plodding through manuscript collections. Although my wishes had nothing to do with the change, the successors to Miss Smither resuscitated a publication program that had been sporadic at best. Particularly since the advent of the present State Archivist, Dorman Winfrey, there is real promise that a revitalized publication program will pour a steady stream into the fountain of Texas knowledge and ac- quaint scholars with the deep rich well of archival treasures that this State holds on all sorts of subjects. The first trove that Mr. Winfrey brought to light was Texas Indian Papers, 1825-1849, which was hailed by historians and scholarly publications throughout the nation. The present YO!- ume carries the story through the end of the Republic, with still a third volume in the wings. When this trilogy is completed, Mr. Winfrey promises us fresh treasures in another field of Texas experience. With historians everywhere, I salute the State Archives and the Texas State Library for its vision in
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