WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1859
228
by wise policy in relation to the Indians; one that will staunch the effusion of blood that has been flowing on our frontiers almost since the annexation of Texas to the United States. Before that event, for a mere trifle, we kept and maintained peace and good order and amicable relations with the Indians; but since then, our frontier has been deluged with blood; confligations have marked it from the Red River to the Rio Grande; depredating parties have come in upon us, because our relations are changed and a policy adopted different from that which had been previously established. This reserve system is an improvement, I am ready to admit, upon that which Texas formerly adopted in relation to these Indians, because we had not the means of establishing and maintaining the relations that this gives between the Indians and the whites; hence, it is that I am so anxious to see it carried out; and I implore you gentlemen not to subject us to further exposure, and to the disasters that we have suffered so long. [Mr. Hunter spoke.] · Mr. Houston. I apprehend that there can be no new policy adopted that will supply the place of the present system. It wa~;" adopted upon mature reflection. Thus far it has worked well. We now stand pledged to the Indians to maintain and pursue this policy, unless we can point out to them some radical defects in it, and show them that an improvement can be made upon it. If we do not, we shall have violated our word with them. You may tell the Indian anything you wish in order to maintain amicable relations with him; and so long as you redeem the pledges that you have given him, so long will he confide in you; but show a wavering policy, or exercise toward him anything evasive or uncandid, and that very moment you destroy his confidence and render him an enemy. I admit, as to their number, that if these Indians could be concentrated they would be contemptible compared with the power of the United States; but they are migratory; they are all over the prairies; they are everywhere. If you can congregate them at any particular point, and can attach them to that, and show them that the certainty of subsistence is greater there than it is in their wild wandering habits, you can attach them to that spot; and if you redeem your promise in regard to it, that spot becomes endeared to them; pleasant associations grow up; they see the comforts of their families increase; they see them multiply; they realize blessings that they did not before enjoy; and the conse- quence is that you make a decided impression upon them in favor of civilization, and they will strive for improvement. If, however,
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