162
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 184-3
needful, assure the Indians, that if from any cause the prisoners are not delivered up at this time, it shall be done through our agents as soon as they are appointed: And by the time they are preparing for their fall hunt. Say to the Indians that my object is to make the treaty as last- ing and as firm as the ground on which they stand. I have never told my red brothers a lie; nor will I send men to them to speak lies. If the councillors I send them speak falsely or deceive them. I will take them away and send better men. You are authorized to purchase ten or fifteen hundred dollars worth of presents, (at sixty or ninety days if you can.) You will procure for Luis Sanchez some comforts; for the poor fellow has suffered much, and I am sorry that I cannot reward him abun- dantly. I hope yet to do it. I have no objection to Messrs. Stro~d and Wyman conducting their trade in partnership. Bring some eight or ten chiefs down with you if possible. I would like to see one at least from each band; and if needful, I will send below for presents for them. Do the best you can. Salute the commissioners and friends. Sam Houston [Rubric] "'Houston's Private Executive Record Book," pp. 322-324, courtesy of Mr. Franklin Williams. For Terrell see Volume III, 52-53; also Volume II, 367. ~At San Antonio, on March 19, 1840, there occurred a deadly fight between a party of sixty-five Comanches (chiefs, warriors, women and boys), and the Texan troops, commissioners and a few companions. The Indians had made an agreement to come to San Antonio to make a treaty, and they had promised to bring with them all the white prisoners whom they held captive. But they brought only one young gir], Matilda Lockhart. The commissioners appointed to make the treaty were Colonels Hugh McLeod and William G. Cooke; they were supported by two com- panies of Texas regulars under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William S. Fisher. Fisher's men were standing by on the outside of the council room-all, except a detachment of troops under Captain George T. Howard, who stood at attention within the council hall. Matilda Lockhart told the Texans that the Indians had many more captives, but that they had determined to bring in only one at a time, in order to secure greater rewa1·ds. On hearing this, the commissioners told the twelve chiefs that they were prisoners and would be held as hostages until all the captives held by them should be brought in and given over to the custody of the Texans. They were also told that they might send out their young warriors to carry this message to their
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