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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1858
479
will reciprocate that confidence. Encourage them, create a spirit of emulation amongst them, and when one man proves himself faithful, it will open the door to others. They will look forward to distinction in the confidence of the white man, and each will be emulous to rival his fellow in confidence, in usefulness, and fidelity. In this way, you will conciliate the Indians. They will see that they are not regarded as enemies, but incorporated into the list of friends; that confidence is reposed in them; and no man has stood up in my hearing on earth to say that an Indian deceives. The white man teaches him deception, and by way of retaliation he may deceive him. The white man, thinking all will stop with his own deception, concludes that the Indian has no right of retaliation; but the Indian retaliates faithfully.· Put confidence in him, and he is as constant as the northern star that has no fellow. He is truthful and accustomed to risk his life for his friends, or die in seeking revenge on his adversary. Do him wrong, and it is unforgiven. The idea of punishing the Indians and pursuing them with your regular troops is pre- posterous. I recollect the time I determined here, some years since, never again to vote for an increase of the regular Army unless in time of war, and imminent necessity; which could not be supplied from volunteers or the militia. That determination is as un- shaken as my life. It is a purpose that I cherish, and I hope to leave my prejudice against an inordinate increase of the Army as a heritage to my children. If I leave them nothing else, it will be a pledge that I love my country. When four regiments were raised a few years ago, it was an- nounced that for years the Department had been calling for an increase of the regular Army; successive Secretaries of War had called for it; and reports had been made. That is very true. I do not deny the fact that reports were made in favor of it. The four regiments were raised, and I presume if you would calculate the net expenses of raising and supporting them up to the present time from the time the law passed, you would find it just about equal to the deficit of $20,000,000 in the Treasury. That is the advantage which has resulted to the country from that action. Now, what have these regiments done? What are the glories that they have won? What deficiency in the public defense have they supplied? They have had a war with the Indians, under the lead of a gallant man, I admit, and report said they killed one hundred and fifty, of whom one hundred and thirty were women and children. This is the way these regular
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