WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1852
350
but they are withdrawn from these fastnesses of the mountains, and are placed by the action of this Government in a situation which renders it necessary that we should give them subsistence. That is the point which is to determine the justice and propriety of the action of this body as I suppose. The question for this body to consider is whether that which we design to appropriate for a generous and beneficent purpose, will be applied to the objects which we contemplate. It does not answer the question to say, that agents of the Government have heretofore applied money which has been placed in their hands in a manner contrary to the instructions which they have received. The Government has officers, commissioners, men of intelligence and probity, who can be intrusted with this money, and who will apply it to the purposes for which it is intended by the Senate. The sum of $100,000 is a very small one. Compare that with the consequences which will probably result to the Treasury, if it is not bestowed, and see what will be the amount saved by an economical discretion in its application now. You appropriate $100,000 for these Indians, and they will remain at peace. They are now withdrawn from the mines, and the con- dition of rivalry in which they stood, in relation to those who are now engaged in mining, has ceased. They are doing nothing to provoke the animosity of those men whose interests conflicted with theirs heretofore; and it is in conformity with what we know of the human character and of human feelings, to suppose that the miners will now sympathize with these poor Indians, and will desire to see that the means given by the Government for their support are not misapplied, but are employed in a way which will alleviate the necessities of the Indians. The condition of the Indians, then, will be such as to excite the human feelings and the sympathy of a portion of the people of California, who will exercise a vigilance with regard to the manner in which the bounty of the Government is applied, and thus exert an influence which will be highly beneficial to the Indians. Sir, I have had some experience with the Indians. It is no egoism in me to say that I, who have spent all my life upon the frontiers, am acquainted with their dispositions and their char- acter-that I know the appliances necessary to peace, and that I know the provocations to war. I have seen Indian wars grow up; I have seen peace negotiated and disregarded; I have seen outrages committed by whites; and I have seen the Indian, in
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