2GO
TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1825-18-13
object of our coming. They had he said "been told so many lies by the Creek that they were afraid I had a large company with me and wanted to fight them." He was glad this was not so and that we came for purposes of peace. He would say this tu his chief who would be glad to see us at his \"illage. A party of about one hundred Pawnee arrived this evening for the purpose of making peace and trading with the wild indians. On the evening of the 27th Sha\,. and Conner returned, offering no explanation or apology for their protracted absence. I questioned them about it but could get no satisfaction. Mr. Torrey reported that he could see no good reason why they should have delayed, that they remained idly lounging in camp at Warren's and that no persuasion of his could induce them to move sooner, that while there they had a cc,unC"il with the chiefs of their tribes which resulted in Shaws dictating a letter to some person about Warren's establishment, which he afterwards saw lying upon a desk directed to Gov. Butler, U. S. Indian Agent and which was afterwards despatched by a runner to Fort Smith. Mr Torrey thought this letter had a bearing in some manner upon our expedition but could pro- cure no item of its contents. He also mentioned that Shaw and Conner remained two days after the time they told him they would return, to doctor a sick indian woman for which they boasted of having received twenty five dollars each. I re- monstrated with Shaw upon their conduct in hindering our progress so much (he having been absent sixteen days) and told him that with these vexatious delays continually occuring, it was impossible that we couid return in time for the council that now they had got rid of their packs I should expect thPm to move expeditiously to make up -for lost time, and that I wanted them to start early the next morning. On the 28th notwithstanding my wishes of the night previous no preparations were made for a start by the Indians. Upon asking the reason they informed me that their horses were too tired and some of them unwell, with several other trivial excuses. From their conduct I was well satisfied that they did not intend to move until it suited their convenience and inclinations. I would at that time have broken up the commission if I could have procured an inter- preter to accompany me, but befog entirely dependant on the Delaware for guides and interpreters, I found myself obliged
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