TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1825-1843
12
No. 6
INSTRUCTIONS TO INDIAN COMMISSIONERS JOHN FORBES, SAM HOUSTON, AND JOHN CAMERON FROM HENRY SMITH [December 30, 1835]
Executive Department of Texas
To John Forbes, Sam Houston and John Cameron Esqrs
Gentlemen The following will be handed you as
your instructions on the part of the Government of Texas by which you will be governed in the discharge of your duties as Commissioners in treating with the Cherokee Indians and their associate bands; in conformity with your commissions. You will proceed to Nacogdoches as soon as practicable and enter on the discharge of your duties in the discharge of which, you will in no wise transcend the Dec- laration made and signed by the Consultation in November last -you will in all things pursue a course of justice and equity towards the Indians, and to protect all honest claims of the Whites, agreeably to such Laws compacts or treaties, as the said Indians may have heretofore made with the Mexican Republic. You will provide in said treaty with the Indians, that they shall never alienate their Lands, either separately or collectively, except to the Government of Texas-- And to agree that the Said Government, will at any time here- after purchase all their claims at a fair and reasonable valuation --You will endeavour, if possible, to secure their effective co- operation at all times when it may be necessary to call the ef- fective force of Texas into the field and agreeing for their Serv- ices in a body for a specific time-If found expedient and con- sistent, you are authorised and empowered to exchange other Lands within the limits of Texas not otherwise appropriated in the room of Lands claimed by said Indians and as soon as prac- ticable, you will report your proceedings to the Governor and Counci! for their ratification and approval.
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