Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. II

85

TEXAS lNDiAN PAPERS, 1844-1845

Town) and believing the news advised Cavanaugh to bring it on Express, this force is some 200 Warriors their plan, tis said, is to make the descent in three Divisions, one to attack the Trad- ing House one the Settlement of T. I. Smith and the other the new place of Strouds on the Navasota. The measures I have adopted in the emergency are there I have notified Bryant on Little River to be prepared, called at Maj. Porters to send a runner to Smiths. The Trading House was guarded last night by three men-with recruits from this place and eleven here this force will amount then to 15 men for the defence of t.hat point Mr. John Marlin Sen. a companion and myself will start in the morning for the settlements on Navasota to apprise them of the state of affairs, as well as to endeavor to induce some of the Delaware (said to be in that quarter) to proceed to the Tradg. Ho. for its protection. These are merely precautionary means. I have charged the men not to be the aggressors, but to be prepared to meet force with force. I shall continue to inculcate this and to keep in view that until some overt act is committed by these Indians, they must be considered as friends -I trust the course I have adopted in the present instance will meet your approbation-I shall return from the Navasota in three or four days, to receive your orders.

Yrs Truly W[ESTERN]

To Gen Sam Houston Washington

No. 54 DRAFT ON TREASURY

Executive Department Washington, July 29th, 1844

The Treasurer will pay Mr. Slater, the bearer, the sum of fifteen dollars out of the appropriation for Indian purposes, for services as express bearer. I have the honor to be your obt. servt. Sam Houston

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