. WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
319
the prairies, hunt the Buffalo, and those who love houses, build them, and plant corn in their own fields.-While they remain friends, I will keep trouble and sorrow far from them! Their women and children shall not weep for the loss of warriors and friends in battle. The Great Spirit will be kind to all people who love peace. Let all the Red brothers listen to their Chiefs, when they counsel to speak peace !- your Brother Sam Houston [Rubric]. To the Chiefs of the Border Tribes. 1 From Mr. Al Dealey's Collection of Houston Materials. Papers on Indian Affairs, Texas State Library. Executive Reco1·d Book, No. 40, pp. 217-218, Ibid. Crane, The Life ancl Select Literary Renwins of Sam Houston, 336--337. The copy in Mr. Dealey's collection appears to be in Houston's own hand- writing, and with the rubric, but the endorsement ii:: clearly in the hand- writing of Washington D. Miller. The copy for this collection is taken from the Dealey document, because it seems to be the original draft of the talk, and the one Houston must have kept for his own files. It differs in several sentences from the other copies. It contains several sentences the other copies omit. TO GENERAL GEORGE W. TERRELL 1 Executive Department, Washington, February 13, 1843. To Gen. G. W. Terrell, Indian Commissioner, &c: I have the honor to communicate to you extracts from the late despatch of the Honorable Isaac Van Zandt, Charge d'Affaires of Texas to the United States. You will observe his remarks upon the first article of the pro- posed stipulations in the triplicate treaty between Texas and the United States, in relation to the Indians. He seems to entertain the opinion that if this government permits the troops of the United States to pass into our territory in pursuit of and for the purpose of chastising Indians, in case of necessity, the privilege should be reciprocal. This you will not make a sine qua non for various reasons. The United States troops stationed on our borders are 1·egu- la1·s. They are commanded by gentlemen of intelligence, and are disciplined and subordinate. They are governed strictly by the rules of war, and always within the control of their officers. The officers are responsible and subordinate to their government.
Powered by FlippingBook