WmTINCS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1844
295
corn, but will be naked and starving in the cold of winter. Their cries will touch the hearts of the men, because they will have nothing to kill the buffalo for them to eat. Tell the chiefs to hear and to keep in their hearts my words. Mr. Winn can tell you my views, not expressed in this com- munication. Sam Houston. 'Executive Rec01·d Book, No. 40, pp. 343-344; also Papers on Indian Affai?-s, Texas State Library. "James C. Neill. See Volume I, 333. ~Leonard H. ·wmiams lived at Nacogdoches. He was an Indian agent of the Texas government, associated with Benjamin Sloat. One of the most important services that Williams rendered as Indian agent was to hunt down the Indians who stole the Simpson children from West Pecan Street (now West Sixth Street) in Austin in 1842. See Garrison (ed.), Divlomatic Corresp01zdence of the Republic of Texas, II, 340, 361; Wilbarger, Indutn Depreclations in Texas, 139; Brown, History of Tex<ts, II, 277; and E. "\V. Winkler (ed.), Secret Jom'1ials of the Senate, Republic of, Texas, etc., 292.
To ANSON JONEs 1
Houston, 6th April, 1844. Dear Jones,- I have opened and considered the accompany- ing despatches. I will go to Galveston and see Capt. Elliot, 2 as he is yet at the island. Rumor says the Government of the United States will not avow the acts of Gen. Murphya in relation to the pledges given ante- cedent to our Commissioners entering upon the negotiations with that Government. I presume when they see Henderson's orders, or learn their contents, they will readily see that the game is to be a two-handed one. If the United States should interpose any difficulty at this time, you will find that my action will be prompt and my purposes resolved. We have done enough; and if they expect us to place ourselves out of the pale of all probable security to this nation, they are most woefully mistaken. So soon as they assume a ground adverse to what has been the understanding, and official notice to that effect is received, it will be an easy matter to say, "Gen. Hende·rson, your mission has terminated, because we cannot submit to unreasonable and unjust sacrifices!"
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