WmTINGS OF SAM HousTON, 1858
172
expenditure. All that is necessary, is to withdraw them from the pursuit of hunting, for they have been accustomed to rely on the chase for subsistence. Let them find that there is a more certain way of obtaining comfort and all the necessaries of life, and they will abstain from war, because there is danger in it, and will give themselves up to peace. But, sir, so' long as you encourage them in war, or pursue a policy which is calculated to divert them from the arts of peace and encourage them in their wandering habits, so long you are warring against humanity and interposing bar- riers to civilization. But, Mr. President, I have something else to say in_regard to the Indians. The Government of the United States pay the Kioways and Comanches to make their inroads on us, and supply them annually with four hundred rifles. They did it last year; they do it this year. When they have-made their inroads upon Texas, none of their marauding parties have been killed, and guns taken from them that were issued by the Government at Bent's Fort. They conspire to massacre the citizens of my State. I wish to Heaven my voice was clear, and I would make it ring: yes, sir, it is a conspiracy to murder our citizens. You furnish the hostile Indians with arms. Why? Ah, there is the secret-why? Not through special malice towards Texas, but on account of the worthlessness of your Army. One of your agents reported that he was transporting supplies-to Fort Bent, and that he had to give arms to the Indians because they came around him with their faces fainted and said they would have his life if he did not issue arms to them; and he gave them four hundred arms, and says he will have to give them four hundred again this year. There are eight hundred arms-enough to arm a regiment of wild Comanches, and bring them down upon Texas ; and yet you will not give us rangers to defend ourselves; you will give us troops to eat beef, and stay in pickets and garrisons, and who cannot go out. We want prevention, and that will anticipate retaliation. Why were these arms issued to the hostile Indians? The agent applies to the Government to give him men to protect him and his annuities, and they will not do it. The Army will not be a frontier police; they will not go, because it is disagreeable busi- ness; they will not go across the plains, from Independence to Bent's Station, upon the Arkansas. The agent, in transporting his annuities, had no one to defend them but a few teamsters. He had applied for a detachment of soldiers, and was told he could not get them.
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