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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1829
138
would be most desirable that the Sec'y of War,-• would issue an order to the King, the Agent, or the Counsel of the Cherokees, inhibiting positively the raising of, or marching any varty of Cherokees, whatever to m.ake war upon othe1· Tribes, unless the same was a.uth01·ized by some solemn resolution of the Chiefs of the Na-tion in fidl counsel. This might not be very formal in the Secy'y of War, and, I know of no law for it, but the right would not be questioned, and the counsel once invested with this power by the President, would soon incorporate it ·with the balance of their privileges. And it would be a blessing to the Cherokees! It is not difficult to perceive that the most turbu!ent among the cherokees, and those who will not listen to the words of the chiefs, or take their counsel, they are very solicitous, that Cantonment Gibson should be broken up; and all the troops removE:d without the Indian Territory. I suspect some person for this kind sug- gestion to the Indians; but I am not at liberty to call any one's name on suspicion: But, I will predict in the event of a removal of the U. S. Troops from the Post, that in less than twelve months from the date thereof there will be waged a war the most sanguinary & savage that has raged within my recollection,- embers are covered, but whenever they are exposed, you will see the flame spread thro' five nations! I will add one suggestion to those already suggested by me! An attempt is now making by some person, or persons, to incul- cate the idea on the minds of the Cherokees that those who re- cently and those who may hereafter emigrate to this part of the country from the old Nation are not entitled to any part of the land now held by the Cherokees on [the] Arkansas, and that the Government will be bound to add acre here for acre surrendered in the old nation, or for every acre, now held by the Old Nation, if they should all remove to this tribe- I have not read the last Treaty, but I apprehend there were some tricks play'd on Mr. Barbour, Sec'y of War. The Osages hold in possession some land ceded by them to the Government, and which they wish by permission to occupy- It contains Clermonts Band, and lies E. of the Verdigris, and if the Osages leave it they must be driven to the open Prairie, and cannot become farmers, or raise corn to eat. Difficulties will hereafter (without great care be taken) grow out of the adjustment of the line fixing the boundaries of the Creeks & Cherokees,- they both claim the country lying between the Arkansas & Cannadian Rivers.
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