Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. I

TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1825-1843

inducing the"ir principal Chids to visit San Antonio with the view of concluding a permanent treaty between that Tribe and this Government. I have the honor herewith to transmit to yr Excellency, cop- ies of that report, and a letter from Genl. Johnston. The peculiar and interesting attitude of our Indian Rela- tions, at the present time has influenced us to forward by Ex- press, the intelligence which may be of great importance. To day there has been a meeting of all the Cabinet Officers who are now at the seat of Government. Col. Karnes being present. The Comanche having made a positive declaration as re- gards their territorial limits, the Col. deemed it necessary to have further orders and particular instructions from the Exec- utive in this subject, not wishing to exercise the discretion given by his commission in a matter of such mighty import to Texas, and those Indians. He believes that their suspicions with respect to our motives have been occasioned by false representations, made by the Mexicans at Matamoros, and the North American Indians now among them, who tell the Comanche that our object is to ac- quire our lands unjustly. The limits designated by the Comanche will include a por- tion of the finest country in Texas lying on the waters of the Colorado, extending as low down as the upper line of Bastrop county where surveyors are now operating. They have resolved to kin all the surveyors found within the territory which they consider theirs. The Shawnee traders who are now with the Comanche, are disposing of articles so very cheap that Col. K. is confident, the object of their visit is entirely political, that they are endeavor- ing to influence their minds against the Texians, and form com- binations which will enable the whole of the Indian Tribes near our borders to act in concert against us. His opinion is that such a state of things may be induced should the tribes generally become dissatisfied, and that the prmcipal cause of that result will be referable to the operations of surveyors in the Indian Counties. The Col. would go on to Nacogdoches had he not engaged to meet the Comanche on the first of April at Bexar, which pre-