TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1844-1845
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peace. I want to eat of the same dish, drink of the same water, smoke the same pipe with Houston and my white brothers in peace. my heart is still the same, what I say is true. I do not like my young men to steal the white man's horses, but that is ali that I can say. the other chief will speak to you and tell you more." Talk of Ke-chi-kUr-roqiia the Tawakoni Chief. "Well, my brothers, Caddo; you must listen: my white brothers, and you Delaware; I want you to listen to a few words. n0w captains, young and strong, good men, all together, and you chiefs, now is my time come to speak. My white brothers, and you red Captains sitting here before me I came here on purpose to see you. Last spring when I heard of the words of Houston I thought that I would come. I have studied ever since and I find what he said is straight. Yet I am not satisfied: I do not see Houston here. I want to see and hear him talk and talk with him myself. The Delaware Captains say they met him at Bird's Fort, and made peace: they have shaken hands and hold firm to it. We will do so too, I am strong for making a firm peace. War is like an arrow sticking in the side; I have plucked it out and now I am for peace. such are my thoughts and they are like Houstons' I want to make a big white path so that no man can be lost. that is what I would like to have. It matters not if Houston is not here: I have his words, and tl:e talk is straight. yet I would rather see him. I made a treaty with the United States and never broke it. I hope the same will be with Texas. It ·is time we all have one Great Spirit for our father and one mother, the earth. I brought all my women and children purposely to see Houston. It won't do for men, when they lie, to call on the Great Spirit, and use big words as when they speak the truth. I came with my head warriors that they might see Houston; that they might hear his talk, and hold fast to what he said; and to get presents for my young men, women and children. I talked the same in making treaties with the United States' Cherokee, Osage, Delaware and others. one thing is hard. that is, for my young men to steal and get killed; when we make a white path we do not want it to get bloody, yet by stealing and killing it will be so. I can't say that I will make peace with the Tonkawa and Lipan until I see the Comanche, else I may tell a lie. my people do as they do. If
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