WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1837
77
are not aware of it, perhaps, but it is reported to me that all the ranches in the vicinity of San Antonio have been robbed of their horses. It is reported that Capt. Joseph Powell-1 said he would soon have three hundred horses and much cattle. You desire horses, and if I had them you would be welcome to them, but I must learn some plan to get them, as I can devise none. As to General J ohnston 5 saying that not less than two hundred men will do to visit the Comanches, I must be allowed to be as good a judge of what is needful as any man in Texas (Col. Ruiz 0 excepted), whom I wish you to call upon. My plan was to get the Indians into San Antonio, and then treat with them and make presents to them. It will not do to hunt them in their rage, but if you will call on Col. Ruiz, and hand the enclosed letter to him and hear his views on the subject, it will be of advantage, no doubt. My desire is to render you all possible aids in your usefulness to the country, and in your individual prosperity and glory. It was reported to me by Colonel Houston 7 that he had forwarded saddles to Matagorda for the use of the army. You will find that my desire was to have a treaty held with the Carankawa Indians, and to this effect I wrote to Gen. Johnston. A report has just reached me that Major Tinsley 8 and some of his men, only half armed, went to Victoria and were beaten out of the town by the Indians. This, I hope, is not true; but should it be so, my advice as to caution may hereafter be regarded~ and if necessary may be attended to in future. You will find, that I place all the presents for the Indians at your disposition, and that of Col Ruiz. I am afraid our friend Deaf Smith and his men have acted badly, if reports are true. I never ordered him to Laredo and if, my orders are not obeyed it is useless to give them. You will let him know if you should meet him that he is to draw no more goods on the merchants of San Antonio, for either his men or himself without your order. He has drawn to the amount of several hundred dollars already. Do for God's sake have the persons and property at Bexar pro- tected. Destroy all ardent spirits wherever you may find it west of the Navidad. Let this be done. If Capt. Powell should get horses you may require as many as he can spare, or if you can procure them otherwise, let it be done. You are at liberty to take any horses or mules belonging to the public which you can find between the Colorado and the San Antonio, unless they are in the public service. To do this you have undoubted authority.
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