351
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1852
justification of himself, and in defense of his home, his family, and his all, repel the aggression of the white man. But it was always said that it was the Indian who was the aggressor; he had no telegraphs, no newspapers; he had no advocates among the whites; none to vindicate him. The white man had the influence; the Indian had possession of the land. The white man wanted the land; the Indian must relinquish, and give it up; and was always in the wrong whenever his rights were trespassed upon. So it will be. Look at our condition upon the Texas frontier. I have despaired of receiving, and have forborne asking anything for Texas; but I entertain no doubt that the gallantry and the chivalry of the Texans will protect their own frontier. I cannot look to this Government or to this Hall for aid. It is our right, when we are infringed upon, to vindicate our own soil; and if your banner is torn and your heroic Marcy is slaughtered, and his banner burned by the savage, look to it yourselves. It is not the banner of Texas; her star shall never fall when it is borne by the hands of her own sons to the field, and no savage shall strike it down. Our Government has taken a course to protect our frontier against savage aggression. What has led to this dire catastrophe? Why, sir, the perfidy of the Government and its officers-nothing else in the world. This is no fling at the Administration. It goes beyond all that. Texas, previous to the annexation, for more than eighteen months, had enjoyed perfect peace. No horses had been stolen; no slaughtered citizens were found in their houses; no scalps had been exhibited on Indian poles, around which to dance the war- dance. No conflagrations on the frontiers announced the savage depredations at midnight. We were at peace. After the annexa- tion of Texas, you sent your commissioners there. The Indians confided in the integrity of Texas, because every promise had been maintained, and every pledge fully redeemed. The Indians would not even negotiate with the officers sent by President Polk. Through an influence in Texas they met, they consulted, they treated. At the head of that commission was the gallant and illustrious Butler, who so nobly fell leading on his legions at Churubusco. He was at the head of the commission, but through indisposition he was rendered unable to attend to the duties of his mission, being prostrated in his tent by chronic disease. Another was associated with him, who cared not for the honor of his colleague, nor for justice to the Indians, nor for the
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