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WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1860
527
sent to me here to save time. So you see what a beautiful kettle of fish I have taken. I understand that Mr. Wigfall 4 has taken it in high dudgeon that I did not communicate with the President, through him, or one of our representatives at Washington, instead of sending on General Britton as bearer of dispatches. It was important that the dispatches should not be trusted to the mail, but go by a special bearer, then I would know certainly that they reached their destination. Moreover I should not have trusted them to W'igfall, because he might have broken into a hospital at Wash- ington in a fit of mania a potie [ ?] as he did in New Orleans on his way to the Houston Convention. I should think more of the fellow than I do, if it were not that I regard him as a little demented either from hard drink, or from the troubles of a bad conscience. I wish you would see Mr. Jacob Thompson, Secretary of the Interior and urge upon him the necessity of a treaty with all the Indians inhabiting the head streams of our rivers. As long as they receive their annuities not crossing through Texas, they will depredate upon us, believing us not a part of the United States. Moreover, trading houses are kept on the Clear Fork of the Canadian as a market for our stolen horses and property. This thing must stop. A treaty held and trifling annuities given to those Indians will save millions to the United States as well as many lives to Texas. Every day brings us intelligence of new murders upon the frontier. If we cannot propitiate the Indians, what shall we do? The United States army cannot defend us against the maraud- ing insursions of the Indians. The army, in fact, is inefficient; a few nights since the Cavalry at Camp Cooper amounting to some seventy horses, were unhorsed by the Indians and the men left with their saddles, spurs, and accoutrements, prepared for a spring campaign. So you see how things work. Do let the delegation in whom I have confidence see my letter in the War Department, and after marking its contents wait upon the President and also see Jacob Thompson; then my dear sir, write to me and send me anything -racy or spicy from Congress. Send me the first good speech you make. I know that you will not make any other kind. Salute the gentlemen of the delega- tion and any old friends of mine that you meet with. Sam Houston.
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