WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
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eight dollars. For this special purpose, you are hereby invested with the requisite power and authority. Sam Houston 1 Executive Reco,·d Book, No. 40, p. 225, Texas State Library. At this time Washington D. Miller was Houston's private secretary. See Houston to Washington D. Miller, December 13, 1842. A TALK WITH VARIOUS BORDER CHIEFS 1 Executive Department, Washington, Texas, March 20, 1843. To the Head Chiefs of the Wichetaws, Ionies, !ow-a-ashes, Wacoes, Ta-wach-a-nies, Caddos, and Other Tdbes: BROTHERS : I send this talk to you by Gov. Butler, the Agent of our Great Brother, and President of the United States. The words I speak to you are the words of a brother, who has never told his red brothers what was not true. Between your people and ours there has been a war. Trouble has been in the path between us, and it has been stained with blood. While there is war no people can be happy. When the warriors are absent from home their wives and children may be killed by their enemies. If the warriors return with scalps or have stolen horses, it will not bring back their women and children to them. Their wigwams will be desolate, and they will have to kindle new fires, and by them watch for their enemies. If they make peace, they can rest with their people and be happy. The hunter can kill the buffaloes and the squaws can make corn, and there shall be none to trouble them. We are · willing to make a line with you, beyond which our people will not hunt. You shall come to our trading houses in peace; none shall raise a hand against you, nor make war upon your people. Our traders will have goods such as you wish to buy, so soon as you have made peace. The goods shall be such as you need, and they will be sold to you cheap. We will have agents to act for you, and see that no one shall do wrong to you. When you wish to sell our traders horses, mules, peltries, or any other articles, you shall have a good price for them, and you shall not be cheated. You need not doubt the words which I speak to you. If wrong has been done to the red brothers in Texas, it was not done by the chiefs who are now in power. They were bad deeds, and the people condemn them. They are now passed away. It ,vill do us no good to ,vrong the red brothers. Peace will make the white as well as the reel brothers happy. Let us meet in peace and talk together, as men who desire
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