429
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
form, bills of purchase and receipts. Drafts will then issue, if desired, on the sheriffs, or paid at the Treasury as the claimant may wish. Mr. Kimbell 5 and his associates will be traders on the Trinity. I sent Mr. D. K. Torrey 0 to New York last Spring with a list of suitable articles for Indian trade on the Brazos and expect him in October with goods. The commissioners will select the best site as a trading-house, which he will occupy. I will select suitable persons for the agencies; and, so soon as a treaty is made with the Comanches, the traders and agents West of the Brazos. I desire that the greatest economy be used in all things. If any writing has to be executed at the council, you will be able to attend to it without.the expense of a secretary. I wish you to apprise Col. T. I. Smith 7 of the arrival of the Indians and the desire of his presence at the council. I will be glad if the Delaware chiefs attend at the council with the Comanches in December next. The several tribes who wish to locate may select any places above the line. Let it be known, when the line is run, that mounds will be raised to show where it is in the prairies, and trees will be marked in the woods. Where cases arise not anticipated, a careful description must be adopted. Such presents will hereafter be made as the Presi- dent or the government may think proper, and will depend upon the conduct of the Indians. The $trouds will no longer trade with the Indians, as I have learned that they have violated the "intercourse law." The com- missioners have the law; and if it be true that they have acted badly, let them be proceeded against agreeably to law. Let the Indians know that goods are sent for, and so soon as they come, that the agents will let them know when to meet and receive their presents and tobacco. The appropriations will not justify a visit from the chiefs at this time; but if they behave well and their warriors do no mischief, if I live I will go to see them, or send for them to meet me when the next grass is grown. Salute the commissioners and shake the chiefs by the hand for me. Sam Houston. 1 Papers on Indian A/fafrs; also Executive Record Book, No. 40, pp. 259- 260, Texas State Library. 2 This was Thomas Torrey; he was running-in 1843-a trading house about seven miles southwest of the Waco village--the present city of Waco
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