414
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1857
the tribes assemble at the various seasons of the year to receive their annuities, let them derive impressions new to their minds from beholding the state of things at the factory. Let them see how agriculture is conducted, how the arts are progressing there. They will soon become familiarized with these things, and derive advantages from them. In former times, when I was a boy, I recollect the character of the agents whom you sent among the Indians. They were men who stood deservedly high. The man who was then intrusted with the functions of an Indian agent, was an honest man. He was not driven there as a refuge from home; he was not placed in his position by political or family influence; he was placed in it on account of his qualifications for serving the Government with fidelity, and protecting and vindicating the rights of the In- dians from imposition. By the factory system you excluded speculators and traders from the Indian nations. The Govern- ment can afford to furnish goods cheaper than individuals. Let it pay the annuities of the Indians in goods and useful articles; let the superintendent of Indian affairs make contracts for the necessary supplies; let them be transmitted to the proper point, and distributed to the Indians for useful purposes. Make a searching inquiry of the agent there as to their disposition to embrace civilization and the arts. Then he can administer the facilities necessary; he can give aid and encouragement to them. Let the factory be in some central position. If it is necessary, you may, in order to give protection, have a company of troops there, to be under the general direction of the agent, so that he can call on them in times of emergency, and not leave them to the military officers, who know nothing about the Indians. Recently, we have had an exhibition of that characteristic pru- dence which modern officers exercise upon the frontier. I am informed, that some time ago an alarm was given in this way: Some Indians saw a mail-carrier, and they ran towards him to get some matches, tobacco, or something they wanted. He fled with precipitation to the fort, gave the alarm that the Indians had perhaps shot at him and tried to do him great injury. The officer marched out his troops, found some unsuspecting Indians in the neighborhood, fired upon them, and killed ten. That was a feat which should entitle him to a brevet; and I am not sure but that he ought to have a medal and something to hang it on. [Laughter.] This course had the effect of arousing the Indians, and they were not to be appeased until they had killed ten white
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