WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1843
331
For the five principal chiefs, I send sixty three plugs of tobacco for the chiefs and one dozen of shawls; also cloth sewed together for the three vrisoners, who, I am told, have no blankets. If the chiefs come to see me, I have a pipe preparing in which we are to smoke of peace, and I will send to Houston and Gal- veston and buy suitable presents for them. If the Red Bear is there, I wish to see him. The Wacoes, Tah-woccanos, Toweashes, Ionies, Keechies, and Caddoes must be reached if they do not attend. If in the power of the commissioners, do, I pray you, get our prisoners; and if you think it would have a good influence upon any of the tribes who may not attend and treat, to send any prispners which we have of theirs-sencl them. It surely can do no harm, but may do much good. The incompetent manner in which matters were managed over Red River, last summer, has led to past and present confusion in the business of treaty making. God grant you speed and the country peace. Do the best you can. Sam Houston. 1 Executive Record Book, No. 40, pp. 223-224, Texas State Library. For notes on Terrell, Stroud, John Durst, and Thomas I. Smith, see respectively, Houston to George W. Terrell, May 16, 1842; to Luis Sanchez, July 6, 1842; to Henry Raguet, January 26, 1837; and to Thomas I. Smith, March 25, 1842. In the last named citation the name is written Thomas J. Smith, an error which resulted from the almost exact identity of the capital letters I and J in the manuscripts of the time.
To JOHN HALL 1
Ex-Dept-13th March 1843
To John Hall Esq. Sir,
You are hereby appointed Acting Secretary of State
during the absence of the Hon. Anson Jones.
Sam Houston
1 Mr. Al Dealey's Collection of Houston Letters. Exccutire Record Book, No. 40, p. 225, Texas State Library. For material concerning- John Hall see Houston to John Hall, September 1, 1842.
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