WRITJNGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1839
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been one of the most violent opposers of their rights. He was now very bitter in his opposition to all Indians who had emigrated here from the United States, and was loud in his denunciations of those who had been instrumental in bringing and protecting them here. The Gentlerp.an, however, was once of a different opinion. He was an empresario, and once preferred the coloniza- tion of Indians to his own race; and he was about to bring the ferocious Creeks upon us - those Indians which all the energies of a mighty nation could not reduce. Yes, Sir, (said Mr. H.) he had got possession of Filasola's grant and was about to bring 24,000 Creeks and place them in possession of it. That scheme would have ruined Texas, and at this day it would have been a howling wilderness in place of being the residence of a free and happy people. The Mexican Commissioner complained to the government of the United States - and in the meantime the news had reached Filasola's agent in New York, who took meas- ures to prevent it. This individual is one who is now loudest in his denunciations against the rights of the Cherokees,_and one who will be most profited by the rejection of this bill. It had been asserted on this floor that the Indians were intruders under the Mexican government - and that they had never settled there by the permission of that government, and that the consultation had been cheated into the pledge made to them. This was not very complimentary to the intelligence of the members of the consultation, and he could never avail himself of such an excuse for any official act. But he would proceed to examine the ques- tion and he thought that he should not only be able to convince this House that Indians from foreign countries were invited by the Mexican government, but that privileges were absolutely extended to them which were denied to us. [ Here he read from the laws and decrees of the state of Coahuila and Texas, page 192, article 27] 6 By this it appears that the settlement of Indians in this coun- try was not only encouraged by the government, but that priv- ileges were granted to them, which were allowed to no other people. In some instances they were granted privileges superior to Mexican citiens. They were not required to place stock upon their land, and they were admitted into the market exempt from all duties. They were to share the same quantity of land of other settlers mentioned in this law.
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