WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1831-1836
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these circumstances I felt myself bound by Mr. Ellsworths in- structions as well as by the paramount duty which I owed to my Government, and to myself, to do no act, that could furnish even a plausible prextent; of complaint, on the part of Mexico ! 2 To do this it was not proper, that I shou'd even return to Bexar. From the time of my first visit there; in the month of January, I learned that discontent had prevailed with the people, as well as the officers of Government; in relation to the ulterior objects of the President in designing a Treaty-or peace with the Comanchies; and tho my interview with the Comachie Chiefs, when I was there, had taken place in the presence of the Mexican officers-thro' their own Interpreter; and I had given the most positive assurances, that the President of the U. States would pursue no policy, that shou'd prejudice the Mexican Govern- ment.- Yet they, upon reflection, supposed that there might be some covert design! They are always at war, or at least never cordial, in their friendship with the Comanchies, and are by no means able to contend with them, neither in numbers, nor in battle! It is probable, that under these circumstances; that they may imagine, that by a Treaty, with the United States, it wou'd open a com- merce; that would enable the Indians to obtain munitions of war, from the U. States, and render them even more formidable. I ascertained, when in Texas, that a larger portion of arms, and merchandise, was received from the British traders of the. N. West, than I had supposed; but I could not ascertain any definite quantity! Had Mexico or its authorities, acquiesced, with cheerfulness, in the wishes of the President; other and serious difficulties wou'd have demanded consideration! There are Bands of Shaw- anees, Delawares, Kickapoos, Alabamas, Cherokees, and Cachattis in the Province of Texas and from their frequent hunts,. in the range of the Comanchies conflicts have arisen. During the last winter, several Indians of those Bands were killed by the Comanchies. For the purpose of redress they have formed a Union, and were about to invade the Comanchies; at the very time I must have brought them thro' their country, without a guard! There was no rout, by which I could have avoided, the hazard, of having the Comanchies scalped, on my hands. The Government of Mexico, is not able to sustain or govern those Bands! who do very much as they chuse. They have about five hundred warriors, well armed, and second to none in the fight!
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