TEXAS lXDIAN PAPf.R~, 1825-184;1
C0nner ancl Second-Eye then macle some rfmarks ,•:i-:t>n the Old Chief having seated myself and Mr. Torrey immediately in front oi him replied to me as follows: "The ground upon ,vhich you sit is my ground, the water of which you have drank is my water and the meat of which you have eaten was mine, and you have been welcome, not many times hm·e the leaves come and gone since I and my people lived near the white man in peace. Had I wished I could have slain them all. They were weak and we were strong but I did not want war. Soon the white man became strong, then he killed my people, took away our lands and blood was in our path. Treaties of peace· were then made but were broken by bad men. I thank the Great Spirit that has inclined the heart of your great chief Houston to peace. I have long desired it. The Great Spirit made both the white man and the red man. The same bloocl runs in our veins. I look upon myself and see the same likeness. The Great Spirit made the white man in knowledge next himself. He taught him to fashion every thing he wanted with his own hancls. To convert the soil the winds and the waters to his own use and as- sistance. To the poor indian he gave none of these great gifts, he is dependant upon the white man for all. We should all be brothers. The white flag and the tobacco before us are the emblems of peace. I am glad to see them. The white path is now opening. I hope it will be kept clear that our children may see it and an go and come in safety. I have made a treat.'' with ihe United States and intend to keep it sacred so long as the water runs and the earth stands. I want it to be so with Texas. I call upon the Great Spirit to witness the truth of my words. I speak no lies. The Great Spirit looks upon us now and is pleased when he saw that peace was to be made he sent great ra"ins and floods and caused an overflow of all the rivers that the water might wash away all the blood and bones of our slain warriors from the prairies so that our children might not behold ti,e deeds of their fathers, but the past be all forgotten." The counc-E then adjourned. In a subsequent conversation the chief told me he was sorry my chief had not sent him some powder as he had no meat for his people and corn would not be ripe for a long time, he must therefore beg some for his young men. As there was no way of getting round it pretty liberal presents of powder lead etc [were] made him.
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