WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1854
477
pursued. If there were no remedy, it would be useless to com- plain of the misfortunes of the Indians, growing out of our con- duct toward them; but when there is a remedy, it ought to be applied. Suppose the $5,000,000 that is contemplated, as rumor says, to be given to Mexico, on account of the infraction or violation of a treaty, had been appropriated upon the frontier in annuities and provisions, think you that the Indians ever would have gone to Mexico to depredate and maraud upon its citizens? The Indian says I am obliged to go; I get little in return for my perils, but I am constrained to undergo them. The footsteps of the white man have driven the buffalo to the north, until we are left in a starving condition. We have to eat our mules and horses. We can get no other subsistence, for our game is gone. We have to steal from the Mexicans to supply ourselves with a stock of horses and other cattle for the purpose of meeting our absolute wants, or we must starve, with our women and children. Give them enough to live upon, enough to clothe them, enough to teach them, and you will have a surplus left from what is now expended in keeping up the garrisons, when no earthly advantage results to the Government from them, as they are infantry, and defense- less. Can you pursue the wild Tartar upon his steed and over- take him? Can you reduce him to subordination? No; you might as well think of taking the antelope. And yet infantry are sent there for the purpose of keeping garrison. It is a perfect amuse- ment to the wild Indians; and when a young brave wishes to distinguish himself, it is too tempting a thing, when he sees an infantry soldier, defenseless and out of reach of immediate succor, not to spear him and take his scalp home to his be- trothed, exhibiting it in the war dance. Therefore the troops are not only inefficient, but they are a misfortune, a calamity to the frontier; for they keep up a state of excitement and reciprocal depredation that will always produce insecurity to the settlers. But I will relate a circumstance that will go far to illustrate the impolicy of thus endeavoring to maintain peace on the frontier where peace is so desirable and necessary. The tragic scenes connected with the capture of Mrs. White and her sub- sequent death are lamentable facts, a solution of the causes lead- ing ~o which can readily be given. I know that it was a matter of deep sympathy and concernment throughout the whole country, and a burning anxiety was felt in every heart that she should be rescued from savage bondage. I have been informed, nnd I
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