294
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1844,
Comanches five kegs of powder, with a proportion of lead for the po,vder, and such other articles of paint, domestics, &c., as will amount to five hundred dollars in par funds. To the other tribes in all you will present five hundred dollars, besides the tobacco, hoes, axes, &c., as are especially sent as presents. Messrs. Torrey will furnish you such things as are needed. The powder can be obtained at Major R. H. Porter's where it has been sent. Present to the chiefs only ten tomahawks, and let them be to the principal ones. You will give friendly talks to all and say to them that they must come to see me, (I mean the principal chiefs of the Coman- ches, with Acaquash,) after the treaty, if I cannot go to see them. If you think proper at any time to send me an express, do so. Torry's goods started on yesterday, and will reach there as soon as possible. The strouding has not come, through some mistake; but will be sent on packs as soon as it arrives. It must have stopped in New Orleans, through some mistake. If the chiefs come down, I wish Col. Williams, by all means, to come with them as well as Captain Sanchez. If there is a probability that the treaty will be delayed, send to me an express, and let me know all. I have appointed Mr. Walter Winn Secretary to the Commis- sion, and you will recognize him as such. I deplore my necessary absence; and if possible I will yet be at the treaty. I send my ring to the commissioners, and those chiefs who know me can tell those who do not, that you are true men and sent by me to make peace. Tell the chiefs that my words are the words of truth-that I love my red brothers, and that my wish is to save them and make them happy-but not to destroy them. My agents will stay at the trading houses, and always send me the talks of my red brothers, and I will send them mine. Give to the Comanches twenty spears, after the treaty, is made, and say to them that every year I will make them presents, ,vhen the leaves of the trees fall, that they may have them in the winter, and when the Spring comes they will have hoes to make corn for their hunters and their children-the men will have powder and lead t'o kill the game and have meat for their women and children. The Indian can then be happy; but if peace is not made, no powder and lead, nor guns can be had by the hunters, ~nd women and children will be driven away and can make no
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