315
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1844
government. He will make the bad men_of the forest behave themselves. After you have told Acaquash about the killing of the Wacoes on the Colorado, you will tell him that I wish to make his people give up the horses which those ran off with that were not killed, and that will make things straight with the whites. A description of the horses is sent to Major Western in a letter. The commissioners will observe that when two or three Indians of a tribe have come to the treaty, that they are not to receive the proportion of presents to the value of one hundred dollars, which the chiefs actually representing a tribe or nation would do. We must regulate the magnitude and importance of a present by the advantage which will accrue to our country by making it.- So soon as the Comanches can be seen, the line will be run, and we will have it pointed out in such a way that there will be no dissatisfaction between the whites and the Indians. On the East side of the Brazos, the line will be considered as running between the upper and lower cross Timbers, until it can be marked. Until peace is made, it will be best for no Indians to come below that line, unless they come do,'\ 1 n by Mr. Torreys trading house, and get from the Superintendent, or Mr. Sloat, agent, letters to come down into the settlements to hunt or trade. You will give out this talk to the Indians. If it is not listened to, it rpay bring trouble. "\Vhen the line is run, I want a chief of each tribe to go with the men who mark it. When the leaves fall and I meet all the chiefs in council, I will have medals and such presents for my brother chiefs as they will be happy to receive. Tell them all to keep blood out of our path, and to let no horses be stolen. Tell them this year to raise corn, anywhere they please above the trading house on the Brazos, on Nolan's river, or at the Creek, Fork, or any of their old villages. They shall not be disturbed at their camp fires by good men, or by those who obey- my orders; and if bad men go to them to disturb their women and children, they must treat them as enemies. If good men go to them, they will treat them as brothers, and must feed them. If they are lost, they must point them the road that will lead them to their homes, and see that they are not injured. If the fifteen or twenty chiefs spoken of by the Superintendent, who speak of visiting the Ionies, during the roasting ear season, and proceed from hence to Washington to see the President,
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