TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1860-1916 359 bad Texans, who is guilty of such conduct. They should be quick in reporting such stealing. The best way to com- pel Texans to behave themselves, as well as Indians, is to Capture and punish them. and I want you to help me. In answer to their request that I should release Satanta and Big Tree this afternoon, I have to say that they are my prisoners and I only have the right to make any promise about them. My promise today has been my first promise. Two years ago the Secty of the Interior Commissioner of Indian Affairs and Agents here asked me not to kill them, their lives had been forfeited by law and by the treaty these men had agreed to. If a Texan had Come to your Country and done what these Chiefs have done in our Country and you had Captured them you would have taken their lives, but I have not taken the lives of Satanta and Big Tree. By the treaty I could have taken their lives and did not do it. I have full power and Control over them yet as I did then. They are here now and I have heard their friends and they understand my terms. I will not Change the Conditions If they love Satanta and Big Tree and want them to go to their Camps soon they must Comply with my Conditions and the sooner they Comply the sooner these Chiefs will be released. All good Indians must assist the Troops in arresting the raiders into Texas. The best way for to prevent these young men from raiding, which you say you want to stop, is to arrest them and punish them and that will stop it. The best way to learn the young men to behave is to pun- ish promptly those that misbehave. They all understand what I have said and there is nothing further for me to say. If you want to Comply, do so at once and dont let a sun pass over without action. Com. Hoag:- The Gov. has informed you that he has made no promises to you till now. About a year ago when the dele- gation was in Washington the President did promise that if their people would Keep out of Texas till Spring the two Chiefs Satanta & Big Tree would be released. Lone Wolf was there and I was instructed to tell him that thing. I appealed to Lone Wolf as their Chief that if he would keep the peace and keep his people out of Texas that the Presi- dent has promised me he would 1·elease their Chiefs. Lone Wolf assured me that he would return to his home and keep
Powered by FlippingBook