TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1825-1843
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array to Texas. Small Skulking parties may wind their way like snakes "in the grass along our unsettled frontier where the feet of our warriors seldom tread, and if undetected may reach your cabins in Safety. But they come with lying tongues, to beguile the red men, and to Seduce them into a war with us, which they dare not encounter themselves. . Brothers! Listen not to evil Council. Should the Cherokee refuse to leave our territory force must be employed: for they must go. We can no longer permit Such vipers to remain amongst us. But let the Shawnee be wise: .and take no part in the controversy. Remain at your homes: and pursue the game in peace. Let not the white man's blood Sprinkle your path or his property be the object of your prey. And when the great Council of Texas Shall assemble, about the time the leaves begin to fall and the grass becomes Sear, I will present your case to them in the words of truth. Then, I trust, an amicable arrangement may be effected which will be satis- factory both to you and to us and make Smooth, and pleasant the paths of the Shawnee and of our people. Brothers! Confide in what I say to You. I speak the lan- guage of truth and have no hidden purpose to decieve. I E11,/111·.~( dl Frnm Executive to Linney, Shawnee Chief-May 1839
No. 36 LETTER FROM ::\1. B. LA::\t..\R TO DAVID G. Bt;RNET, ALBERT SIDNEY .JOHNSTON, THO:'lfAS J. Rl'SK, I. W. BVRTO:'!, AND JAMES
S. ~VIA YFIELD
Executive Department Houston 27th June 1839
David G. Burnet
A Sidney Johns[t]on, Thomas J. Rusk, I W Burton and James S Mayfield Esqrs. Gentlemen
Recent eYents of which you are already apprised, Convince me of the necessity of the immediate removal of the Cherokee In- dians, and the ultimate removal of all other emigrant Tribes now residing in Texas, beyond Her Territorial limits: I have there-
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