Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. II

TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1844-1845

414

No. 877 LETTER FROM L. H. WILLIAMS TO THOMAS G. WESTERN Trading House Post No. 2

T. G. Western Genl Sup I. A.

Nov 23d 1845

Sir

The morning after your departure the Co- manche sent word by express that they had been detained by bad weather but were anxious to meet the commissioners, Im- mediately upon the receipt of which information I accompanied by Mr. Eldredge rode about five miles to receive them accord- ing to your request, and brought them in. There being a larger party of the Indians than you or the commissioners anticepated I thought that the amount of goods on hand belonging to the Govt would no more than satisfy him inasmuch as they had seen the presents you distributed to the other Indians. and their actions but too plainly showed that we must please them or they would take the necessary measures to satisfy themselves. The names and number of chiefs you will find in the enclosed report, also, the quanty of goods distributed. The day after the arrival of the Indians a short council was held. and but little said or done except to set apart the following day for trade, and the next for the "Big talk." They traded but little. On the day set apart for the council, seats were prepared and the In- dians came up from camp armed with Knifes, guns and Bows. It was their wish that all the white men present should attend council but I deemed it imprudent, from the hostile appearance of the Comanche, to have them, and thought •it best to have four or five stationed in the different houses, Jim Shaw informed them that it was a rather singular proceeding to bring their arms to council. they replied with the rather lame excuse, "that they were afraid they would be stolen if they left them in camp." Every man and woman that were not in council lay under the bluff apparently ready for any emergency and judging from appearances and some remarks which J. S. interpreted I ac- companied by Messrs Eldredge, Torrey and Cogswell went into

Powered by