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WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1858
to the fort, and bring Indians to protect them, when it was in- tended to give protection and sustain the Indians in their reserva- tions, deserved dismissal; and he does. But that is not all. It is told us on good and reliable information, that he informed the Indians that they ought to stay on that reserve with the hostile Indians, and if attacked that we would go and defend them. It is a taunt unworthy of chivalry or chivalrous men. I would thank the gentleman from Mississippi hereafter, when he undertakes to make an allegation against me, that I have used expressions derogatory to a gentleman, that he would at least be prepared to sustain it. [Mr. Davis speaks.] Mr. Houston. If the gentleman had asked me, I would have said exactly what I say, with pleasure. But when he makes. a charge, I am not prepared to notice an apology or disclaimer to it. I will do exactly what is right on all occasions, and I will assail the character of no individual who has not furnished the official reasons for his conduct. But I say, Mr. President, that this is not applying the rule to these Indians at all. This terri- tory was ceded and subject to the regulations of the President of the United States, and the President of the United States, in a treaty, has ceded to the Indians, or they have reserved it, that they are to settle and occupy it as they had previously done, or are to have an intercourse for any of their inhabitants that they should gather together there, subject to the regulations made by the President of the United States. It is trenching upon them to settle other Indians there. As they lie along our borders on th~ west and south line near to our agency, and as they wish to be connected with our Indians, I think it is better to allow them to be connected with them than to have them at war with us. [The Presiding Officer, Mr. Iverson, Mr. Stuart, Mr. Fessenden, Mr. Green, Mr. Sebastian, speak.] Mr. Houston. Not a cent. I assure the gentleman that it will not increase the salary of the supervising agent. [Mr. Sebastian speaks.] Mr. Houston. Not at all. I will remark that we have the decision of the Secretary of the Interior proposing to attach this to the Texan superintendency. We have the recommendation of General Rusk, and upon that recommendation of facts it was stated that the Secretary made his decision. He has now revoked it; and that is just the position of the subject. The question is, whether it is necessary to the harmony of that portion of the
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