Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. III

TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1846-1859

77

I am encouraged to hope that the present application will meet with your favorable consideration. Under this belief, I have directed the Captains of the different companies, to keep the same 'in active service, until further orders. I will only remark, in conclusion, that if existing laws render it necessary, these companies will enlist for 12 months, though I think economy would be consulted by employing them for six months only. I have the honor to be Yo~r Excellency's Most obt. Servt. (signed) A. C. HORTON [J. Pinckney Henderson, Executive Record Book, Number 28, Pages 58-61.J

No. 74 LETTER FROM A. C. HORTON TO J. K. POLK

Executive Department Austin Oct. 21st 1846

Sir, I feel it to be my duty to address you upon the subject of our relations with the Indian tribes upon the borders of this State. Since the conclusion of the treaty made with Messr's Butler & Lewis, a few months ago, the Indians have shown every dis- position, until recently, to observe its stipulations, and maintain the most friendly relations with their white neighbours. They now, however, begin to suspect that one provision, at least, of that treaty (and to them the most important of any) will not be fulfilled, and, consequently, are becoming very distrustful of the good faith of the United States-I allude to the stipula- tion by which they were led to expect that a considerable amount of presents would be furnished to them this fall, prior to the holding of a more definite and extensive treaty with them on the part of the Government. Recent depredations have been committed by them on the frontier, and I am satisfied that these have been, in a great degree, owing to the opinion prevailing among them that the Government did not intend to furnish them with the promised presents.

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