161
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1830
contract, the money appropriated by Congress to meet such con- tingencies should be paid to the Indians, if other moneys due to them were withheld. This supposition is far from correct. Mr Blake, the Sub-Agent sent by Col. Crowell, had superseded Mr. Brearley, and was engaged in giving his receipts for the corn delivered under the contract. A speculation was presented, and, as the poor Indians were to be the victims of rapacity, why, it was all very well. The aforesaid Maj. Love, "to secure the specu- lation, repaired to St. Louis, with letters of credit from Mr. Blake," the Sub-Agent of Col. Crowell, and purchased several thousand dollars worth of merchandise, and, so soon as he could reach the Creek Agency, commenced purchasing the corn receipts issued by the Sub-Agent. It is reasonable to suppose, that the goods were sold, on an average, at two hundred per centum above cost and carriage; and by this means the Indians would get about one-third of the value of their corn, at the contract price! They offered to let the receipts go at twenty-five per cent. discount, if ·they could only obtain cash for them. Now, I do not charge the Sub-Agent with being in copartner- ship with Maj. Love in the purchase of the goods, and the specu- lation consequent thereon; but it seems strange that he would give letters of credit to a man (who came with him to this coun- try, without capital,) to purchase goods, and retail them out, with his permission, to the Indians, without taking some pains to guard against the risk of loss, or, as an indemnity against suspicion. But what of an this? It does not relieve the Indians, nor can it redeem the honor of the United States. The blame rests some- where. Is it with the Agent? If so, there is a remedy! Or can it be, that the head of the War Department is obnoxious to cen- sure? No: I would suppose not! The President of the United States cannot be censurable; because these things come within the gen- eral plan of arrangement, and are but details within that sphere!-There is but one other individual to whom we can look, as the praiseworthy object of these crying and cruel enormities! And he will be found to be none other, than the successful diplo- matist of three Administrations-the constant apologist of every delinquent Agent in the I~dian Department-the complaisant sycophant of those in power-always ready to play politician agreeably to the Vicar of Bray syst€m, or the more lately ap- proved, very successful, and revised plan, of Col. Thomas L. McKinny ,8 at the head of the Indian Department! Yes ! Col.
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