WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
334
to walk in straight paths. Let the young men of your nations take counsel of their chiefs and ,vise men. Then they will bring happiness to your people instead of sorrow and trouble. Our Great Brother, the President of the United States, desires that the chiefs of Texas and the chiefs of the red men should make peace, and bury the tomahawk forever. I will send a councilor to the Grand Council of the Cherokees; and (if you send chiefs there) he will make a treaty that will take out of our path the stain of blood and make it white, that we can walk in it and live as brothers, and he will appoint a great council in Texas. Our Great Brother will look upon us with pleasure, and the Great Spirit will give light to the path in which we walk, and our children will follow our counsel and walk in the path which we have made smooth. Your brother Sam Houston. 1 Pa71e1·s on Indfon Affairs; also Executive Record Boole, No. 40, pp. 227- 228, Texas State Library. Crane, Life and Select Literciry Remains of Sam Houston, 338-339. To GENERAL GEORGE W. TERRELL 1 Executive Department, Washington, Texas, March 20, 1843. To Gen. G. W. Terrell, Indian Commissioner, &c. General - Your communications of the 13th and 15th instant, came to hand last night by express. My despatches by express returning to you, I hope have reached you, as well as letters sent by Mr. Clark. By them you will have learned my views and desires. I am convinced that my· opinions about making a treaty with such as have attended, or may attend previous to its conclusion, and employing discreet men to remain for the summer at the trading house (Delaware) and mixing among the various tribes, will have a salutary influence upon those who cannot be ap- proached at this time. I doubt not but that the Delawares and Shawnees can induce the several tribes who have been hostile not to send out war parties until a general meeting of the tribes who have been hostile can be had in a general council. I have written to Governor Butler 2 that I would send a Com- missioner to the Cherokee Council. It may be that I may send more than one; but that must depend upon my means, and the ends to be attained by the means I have at command for Indian purposes. I will not send any at this time to Red River, as I imagine no advantage could result. By sending a talk, and that
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