WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
372
I I 1 I I I
You will keep a diary of all important incidents that may occur, and such observations as you may deem worthy of record on your tour. Should an opportunity be afforded, you will com- municate to this Department such facts as you may deem im- portant for its information. You will not fail to have such of the Comanche chiefs at Bird's Fort as practicable. You will inform them that no more presents will be made till a firm peace is established between the red and white men-also, that the place where the council is to be held is so far from the settlements, it will be impossible for the whites to get provisions there. As this is a council to make peace, the whites will not be prepared to afford such supplies as they would be if they long had had peace. When we shall have made peace, and our red brothers meet us in council, it will be near our people, when we will have plenty to give them to eat. You will have to exercise a discretion in relation to many matters that may arise. I would suggest the propriety of advising at all times, in case of the slightest difficulty, with Shaw. His being an Indian and acquainted with all their diversity of char- acter, as well as with the different nations, will enable him to devise the best means possible for surmounting obstacles, which may be interposed to the object of your mission. Sam Houston. 1 Papers on India.n Affairs; also Exec.utive Record Book, No. 40, pp. 242- 243, Texas State Library. For Joseph C. Eldredge, see Houston to Joseph C. Eldredge, April 17, 1843. 2 This is a reference to the "Council House" fight in 1840, during Lamar's administration. A TALK TO PAH-HAH-You-Cc, THE COMANCHE CHIEF 1 Executive Department, Washington, May 4, 1843. To Pah-hah-you-co, Comanche Chief, etc., MY BROTHER:- Our fires have burned far from each other. Your talk has reached me by our Delaware friend, Jim Shaw. My ears were open to your words-they were words of peace. I have laid them up in my heart. I send you my words by the same friend. With him I send two of my young chiefs. The first is a war-chief. They have eaten bread with me. They have sat by my side. They have learned to love the red brothers. I send them
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