TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1825-1843
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of which your aid is most respectfully solicited, and we as in dutybound will ever pray etc D. ROWLETT of himself and others.
No. 74 LETrER FROM H. W. KARNES TO A. SIDNEY JOHNSTON Copy Bexar, January 10th., 1840
To the Secretary of the War Department
Esteemed Sir:
On yesterday evening three Comanche en- tered this city, bringing with them a Mexican Captive. They were hailed on entering the suburbs and cried out loudly for me. On being introduced into my presence, the most distinguished amongst them, who appeared to be a Preist, stated that he was deputed by his nation to solicit a Peace. He further states, that 18 days since, his tribe, in a general council, elected a distin- guished Cheif to treat with the Texans, who will visit the settle- ments on his return, should his report be favourable to him. He says that the nation will accept of Peace on any terms; being sensible of their inability to contend with the Texans forces. As an evidence of the amicable disposition of his tribe to- wards the Republic, he stated that they refused to treat with the Cherokee, who solicited them with large presents to enter with them in a war against the Republic. They also rejected the offers of the Centralists, who have emissaries among them, striving to stir up a general war aga'inst us. These statements may be true; but their known treachery and duplicity, induces me to put but little faith in them. On mature reflection, I con- cluded to treat them well and diismiss them with presents, their number being too inconsiderable to think of retaining them as hostages. I told him that th'! government would not enter into any Treaty without the release of the American Captives, and the restoration of all stolen property; besides giving guarantees that future depredators on our property should be delivered
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