The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume I

WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1830

184

in. He then presented a letter from some correspondent in the Cherokee Nation, communicating the fact that I was not friendly to him. After some remarks, he handed the letter to me. I perused it, and replied to him that its contents were substantially correct. After a few more remarks between us, I stated to him, that the conversation was no longer private, inasmuch as a third person was admitted, and that we would go where our remarks would be heard by others. We stepped to the office, and found the gentlemen before named, and Col. Webber and Mr. Brown, who had arrived at the office during our absence therefrom. The conversation from that time was conducted in a very angry tone. I gave him my opinions very frc:ely of his conduct. He requested to know what charges I would bring against him at the War Department. I wrote them down, and handed him a duplicate. He received it, and endorsed upon both his acknowledgement of the rc:ceipt of it. Conversation then pretty much ceased, and it was suggested by someone of the company that we would go to the camp. He stepped out into the yard, and again pressed us to supper; when I replied, for my part, I should not sup with him, because I would brrnk bread with no man that I did not believe to be honest. If this was remaining in friendship with him, why "Tekatoka" is right. "Since that parting, I have never spoken with the late Ex- Agent. The first time I had an opportunity of seeing Col. Webber's claims, was at Little Rock, when I was 1~equ£sted by Col. Crittenden to witness a transfer of some Indian improve- ment claims, amounting to (I think) four thousand and some odd dollars, in payment of an eastern debt upon Col. Webber, that had been sent to him for collection. The balance of his claims I believe were disposed of in New-York, to the firm of Sydam & Jackson; the junior member of which firm brought them to Washington City, and received the money for them. Mr. Brown's claims I believe were disposed of in like manner, and the money also received at Washington, the Register of those improvements having been previously sent on by the Agent. If the draft for the $50,000 was ever mentioned there, I knew nothing about it. Whatever report was "proverbial" here about the $50,000, must have been rendered so by the Agent'and his friends. If Col. Webber had any designs, he did not communicate them to me. I never had a transaction with Col. Webber to.the amount of five dollars in my life, and the only business that I transacted for any Cherokee on that trip, was for my father, Gen. John Jolly. When

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