WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1830
146
1830 TO ANDREW J ACKSON 1
[1830]? If the President deems it fit to appoint Colonel Arbuckle, Col. Chouteau, & myself (without fee or reward) to treat with the Pawanees; and to make peace between them, and the Osages, tranquility will reign in the Priara's. The whole western Tribes will be at Peace. The lines of the Different Tribes on Arkansas can be laid of[f]. and harmony established between the Indian tribes, and an acquiescense in the wishes of the Government & the Executive insured. So long as Hamtrameck~ is 1formitted to remain Agent for the osages they can never prosper! They will only await the day to witness wrongs which they receive thro him.. I will have no reward, nor do I wish to have any thing to do with money m~tters. If the Pawnees should receive of the Govt (and Kimanchees) from 5 to 10.000 Dollars per annum it would save the expense, of a guard to the Caravans And let the Com- missioners make quarterly reports to the War Department, of all their proceedings, and the reasons Let them be authorized to employ Maj. Langham,3 or Colonel Arbuckle to select from his command a Surveyor for running off the Indian lands- and be instructed in all things as regard the objects of the Government, in the fair fulfillment of Treaties, and where the letter can not be pursued to follow the spirit of the Treaties. I will pledge my life upon the beneficial results of the above suggestions, both to the Indians, & the. Executive of the Union! I am aware that this is not the most popular position for me to occupy in relation to the Indians, but justice and a regard to their real interests requires of me both risque and sacrifice if necessary. Sam Houston. 1 Ho11ston Letters, Texas State Library. This letter is not dated; it was probably written in 1830. 2 John F. Hamtrameck, Jr., was born in Indiana. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, July 1, 1819. As a youth of sixteen he became a member of Major Zachery Taylor's expedition up the Mississippi in 1814. Young Hamtrameck acted as sergeant for this expedition, and was so bold in action at the mouth of Rock River in Illinois, July 19, 1814, that he was given an appointment to West Point. His father, John F. Hamtrameck, was a captain in the United States Army and had distinguished himself at the Battle of Miami in 1804. John F. Hamtra- meck, Jr., resigned from the army in 1822, and became a planter near • ;;
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