WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1843
329
same to the fund for Indian purposes - and this will be your voucher Sam Houston [ Rubric] [Written to left of Houston's name] : A bill of goods was purchased from me for which the above order was given, the amount being mislaid. John Ramsey 1 Pavers on In<lian Alfairs, Texas State Library.
TO GENERAL GEORGE W. TERRELL AND OTHERS 1 Executive Department, Washington, March 11, 1843.
To Gen. G. W. Terrell,1 and Others, &c. Gentlemen- You will have received despatches from me be- fore this is written. Your wishes relative to supplies, I have endeavored to comply with to the needful extent, but whether they will reach you I cannot say. I regret that you had not sent for them, instead of relying upon me to send them. It would have saved me some trouble, and I have much business to transact. The sugar and coffee I send. To supply the commissioners, is all right; but unless arrangements had been previously made, it cannot be supposed that more than that can be done at present. Blankets cannot be procured, and but little else, unless I knew exactly what was needful to meet present urgent wants. At this time we have not means; and we are establishing relations with the Indians, ·and when that is done we will know what arrange- ments will be needful in future. We must rely somewhat upon their promises, and they must rely upon ours, until they have given earnest of their friendly designs and good faith. In making presents, I will remark that all which are made must be to the head chiefs; and they will make distribution to inferiors, so as to build up and establish their own influences; and thereby render it available to Texas. I have learned that some chiefs of the Shawnees and Delawares were anxious to come and see me at the time Mr. Stroud 1 brought the report that the Indians were to meet in Council on the 9th of last month, and that he told them it was not necessary-that his coming would do every thing for them: Also, that the Indians did not appoint the 9th ult. as the time of meeting! This may or may not be true; but certainly there has been great confusion in matters. I am satisfied that Mr. Durst's 1 and Col. Williams'
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