'\VRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
187
heart of each other. I wish some of the chiefs of my red brothers to come to see me at Washington. They shall come in peace, and none shall make them afraid. The messenger from the Queen of England and the messenger from the United States are both in Texas, and will be in Wash- ington, if they are not sick. They will be happy to see my brothers. If the Big Mush is in council he has not forgotten my words; and he knows that my counsel was always that of a brother; and that I never deceived my red brothers, the Cherokees. They had much trouble and sorrow brought upon them, but it was done by chiefs whose counsel was wicked, and I was far off and could not hinder the mischief that was brought upon his people. Our great council is to meet within one moon and I will send a talk to our agent at the trading-house, who will send it to my red brothers. Let the war-whoop be no more heard in our prairies-let songs of joy be heard upon our hills. In our valleys let there be laughter and in our wigwams let the voices of our women and children be heard- let trouble be taken away far from us; and when our warriors meet together, let them smoke the pipe of peace and be happy. Your brother, SAM HOUSTON. 1 Paper8 on Indian Affairs, Texas Stnte Library. Crane, Life and Select Utera1-y Remains of Sami Ho11ston, 335-336. ~A reference to President Lamar. HAMILTON TO ALEXANDER SOMERVELL 1 Department of War & Marine, Washington, 19th Octr. 1842. To Brigr. General A. Somervell Sir: I have the honor to inform you that John Hemphill, Esq. has been appointed Acting Adjutant General of the forces of the Republic; and Col. James R. Cook Acting Inspector General; and have been ordered to report to you, at Head Quarters for duty. The fullest confidence is entertained in the patriotism, fidelity, and capacity of those officers, and it is believed that they will not only discharge promptly and efficiently the duties of their re- spective offices, or any other duty which they may be called upon to execute, but will be eminently useful in harmonizing and reducing to order the refractory and insubordinate men now in the field. This last is important to our service-indeed without
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