WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
399
troubles of men in public station, and we have experience enough to choose that which is best. I wish to have a council at Bird's Fort on the T'rinity in the early part of August next, and if I conveniently can, I will visit there myself. If we could meet once more in life, I would be happy, from our early and long friendship, to take you by the hand. If you or any of your children or friends should ever come to Texas, you or they must not leave again without seeing me. I have forgotten none of the friends of my early life and of my exile. Write to me if you have time, and tell me as much about our old friends as you can. I hear but seldom from the Cherokee nation in Arkansas, though it would give me great pleasure to do so frequently. Remember me kindly to your family and all my friends. Sam Houston 1 Executive Record Book, No. 40, p. 252, Texas State Library. ~John Rogers was half Scot, half Cherokee. He was the brother-in-law and headman of Oo-loo-te-ka, the adopted Indian father of Sam Houston. James and John, Jr., Rogers, sons of this John Rogers, were the intimate boyhood friends of Houston, and Tiana, their half-sister, was his Indian wife.. Therefore, according to the Indian marriage, John Rogers was Houston's father-in-law. Tiana died in 1838. John Rogers, Jr., was the father of the late Will Rogers. See Marquis James, The Raven, 22, 30, 128, 150-151, 450-451. A TALK TO VARIOUS BORDER TRIBES 1 Executive Department, Washington, l\fay 30, 1843. To the Head Chiefs of the Wichetaws, Iones, Tow-a-ashes, Tahwacanies, Caddos, Comanches, and Other Tribes: MY BROTHERS :- I send this talk to you by the Chief Counselor of my warriors. The words I shall r--peak to you are the words of a brother who has never told his red brothers what was not true. Those that I send to you have sat by my side and have eaten bread with me. They have learned to love the red brothers. TheJ know the counsels of peace which I have always given. They will tell you of many things which it will be good to hear. They will speak the words of truth only.
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