WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1853
401
I doubt not that the Indians can be pacificated, and that they will go peaceably to the homes of their brethren across the Mississippi; that they will settle down in quiet and peace, and become husbandmen and agriculturists; that they will go to a healthier clime, to one where supplies are abundant-for the country of these Indians west of the Mississippi is surpassed by none on earth in its production of corn and all the necessaries of Indian comfort. I have no doubt that the Indians can be transported there without difficulty, and incorporated with their brethren; whereas, if you authorized or gave to the daring and active spirit of Florida the least encouragement, as this amend- ment would do, for encroachment upon the Indians, that very moment the agitation would begin, appliances would be made for the purpose of 1·emoving the Indians, the inhabitants would urge it upon the Government, and they would consider the adoption of such a proposition as a warrant for any outrage they might commit. "The infernal Indians will not go; they are bound to go, and we will make them go." In that way a war might grow up in Florida. Why should not two hundred de- termined men expel this hundred warriors, if it was necessary to compel them to go west? I have no idea of voting more means for an enterprise of that kind than are physically and. absolutely necessary, and I shall not vote for the amendment, because I see that it would lead to war, bloodshed and massacre; it would lead to the destruction of the Indian warriors, and when the men are destroyed, of course the women and children will be reduced to starvation. I cannot see the justice of this, and I will never consent to do injustice or inhumanity if I can avoid it. 1 Conu1·essional Globe, Part II, and Appendix, 2d Sess., 32d Congress, 1852- 1863, 802. REMARKS ON THE PROPOSITION TO SUBSTITUTE THE CIVIL FOR THE MILITARY SUPERINTENDENCY IN THE NATIONAL ARMORIES, FEBRUARY 25, 1853 1 I really can see no good that is to grow out of the proposed amendment of the Senator from Illinois. Had the provision remained as the Senate determined, and as it came from the House, there would have been an end to the matter without further expense and trouble. From the experiences of years past in relation to the civil, as well as the military administration of the armories, the fact is pretty well ascertained that the
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