401
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
These things shall no more take place. We must forget our sor- rows, and walk together like brothers in the path of peace. Our people have suffered, and we have done each other much harm. War has been among us; and the white and the red war- riors have been killed. We have prisoners, and your people have prisoners of ours. When we meet in council they shall be ex- changed. The white and the red prisoners shall all return to their homes, and we will take prisoners no more. When you see the red prisoners they will tell you that they have been well treated. They have not been hurt; and when our prisoners are brought to the council you will find yours there also. I send my war councelor to invite the chiefs of our red brothers in Texas and on the borders, to meet in council at Bird's Fort on the T'rinity, at the full moon in August. The chiefs of the white and the red men will there sit around the same fires and smoke the pipe of peace. Many of our Delaware, Shawnee, Waco, Caddo, and other friends and brothers will be t.here. They have made peace and will speak for us. Our great brother, the President of the United States, is anxious to see peace established between Texas and all the red people. The chiefs he sends to you will say so. A talk like this has been sent to the Comanches by our Dela- ware brothers, and white chiefs, who will see them, and invite them to the council. Your Brother, Sam Houston. 1 Pa.pe1·s on Indian Affctirs; also Executive Record Book, No. 40, p. 249, Texas State Library. Crane, Life and Select Literai-y Remains of Sam Houston, 342-343.
To WILLIAMS. RANSOM:1
·washington, Texas, May 31, 1843
To W. S. Ransom, Esq. Dear Sir,- Your letter of the 15th ultimo came to hand a few days since. I have to state in reply to your inquiries, that your worthy brother~ is no more. The sad casualty occurred at the time, place, and in the manner you have stated. He died instantly and was interred with all the decency and decorum that circum- stances permitted. The commissioners to whom he was, by my appointment, officiating as Secretary, were with him. When Gen. Terrell, who was one of the commissioners, returns to the seat of Government, which it is expected will be in the
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