The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume III

'WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844

544

so far as to authorize the President to issue the commission upon sucb returns as may have come to hand, up to a particular period. Sam Houston. 1 "Messages of the Presidents," Cong1·essionrtl Pa.pe1·s, Eighth Congress; also Executive Record Book, No. 40, pp. 321-~22, Texas State Library. Jounwls of the House of Representatives of the Revublfo of Texas, 8th Cong., 1st Sess., pp. 397-398.

A TA.LK TO SAH-SAH-RO-KE, THE KECHE CHIEF 1 Executive Department, Washington, January 31, 1844.

MY BROTHER :-You started to hunt the White path of peace -you found and walked in it among white people, until you came to my house. You found the talk which I sent you true. You saw the great council of your white brothers, and you know they intend to have peace. As the chief of all this nation, I wish to make peace with all the red brothers. I have spoken to you and you know what my words are. The talk which you brought from the Comanches arid other red people is good. My ears were open to hear it, and my heart rejoiced that there was to be no more blood in the path between us. You will now turn your face to the Comanches and Kiaways and to all the red people. You will take the word of the chief of Texas with you. Their ears will be open, and they will listen to what you have to say to them. You will tell them what I have said about peace and the words which I have spoken about prisoners. If ours are brought, they shall have all theirs. In about two and a half moons I wish the Comanches to meet us in council at Tahwocanny Creek. I will expect all the Comanche chiefs to be there, that the tomahawks may be buried, and that no more blood may be shed, or mischief done till the grass ceases to grow and the water to run. Their prisoners will all be there to go home with their people, and ours must be there also. Before then, I will try to send traders up to the Kechi village. At the treaty-ground there will be corn, tobacco, and some lead to give to those who are friendly and make peace-for we will never give these things to those who are our enemies. You can say to those tribes which make corn, that they may settle down in their villages, and that I will send them hoes and axes, and when we get the trading houses built, that I will send them many other presents. This will not be done to buy peace,

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