470
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1858
there, it would only be necessary that they should touch at the several fortresses. It would not be necessary for them all to be on the scout or ranging at one time; a portion of them, if there were invalid horses or men, could keep the several stations, whilst the elite of the command would go out in quest of the Indians, and for the protection of our border, keeping up constant vigilance and activity. Our frontier can be protected without so large a standing Army as we now have numerically. Upon our frontier establish a fortification, or keep the fortifications that are established, with fifty or one hundred men, and there set up trading houses. Let ·the Indians go there to trade. Do not hunt them up in their hunting parties, to make war upon them when they are at peace, but invite them there to trade. Finding the convenience of obtain- ing such things as they need, either for taste, or dress, or other- wise, or supplies of provisions such as could be furnished them in part, they will become reconciled to the white people; they will meet them on other occasions than those of hostility, and they will meet them amicably; they will associate with them; they will discover some good qualities in them; they will discover some kindness to the Indians, and not perpetual war and hos- tility, which places them either in an offensive or defensive position towards the United States. This will create a state of feeling in their breasts that will influence their councils and their conduct. Finding that it is for their advantage to maintain these amicable relations, they will soon become domesticated, if you will allow the term, or reconciled to the white people, and peace will take the place of depredation and warfare on our frontiers. Let them get the supplies that are necessary at these trading houses, and not have to go to other sections and to other people to obtain them, and they will be content. It is said that the Mormons are rendered formidable by their relationship to the Indians, and that the Indians in their neigh- borhood are to join them. Why should they join the Mormons in opposition to the United States? They are in juxtaposition with them, and if they have been hostile to them the Indians will necessarily cherish a reciprocal hostility to them. The Indians have received annuities from the United States, and if properly treated it would be the natural tendency of their feelings that they should be friendly with the United States. Instead of that, we find them ready to associate with a people who do not confer benefits on them, but who, in their personal and tribal intercourse, treat them with a degree of friendship that they do not receive
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