,VRITINCS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1837-184-1
59
The Executive has been assured that the land which they occupy has been intruded upon. Their little improvements have been run into by surveyors, their fields have been run through, their com- plaints have been disregarded, their horses have been taken, their cattle destroyed, and no les·s than two Indians have been murdered in cold blood in this city and its vicinity, while the murderers go at large, unpunished. Although they do not complain of these wrongs aloud, nor retaliate upon the lives of our citizens, yet we cannot suppose, because they are Indians, that they do not realize feelings common to humanity. It is within the competency of this Government, by a wise and just policy, to ensure, not only their friendship, but their aid, should it ever be necessary, to defend their rights guaranteed and secured to them by pledges equivalent to our own. · It will be observed by the Honorable Senate, that the 5th Article of the Treaty, provides for the future disposition of the country assigned to Indians, should they at any future time be disposed to alienate it. The arrangement will be found in these words : "It is agreed and declared by the parties aforesaid, that the land lying and being within the aforesaid limits, shall never be sold or alienated, to any person or persons, power or government ,vhat- soever, else than the Government of Texas"; and it will also be discovered, that the Treaty secures to the Government, the right of trade and intercourse with those Indians. These provisions were deemed necessary to the preservation of the respective rights of the Contracting Parties; and since, individuals have intruded upon and violated the territory designated. The Indians are left to infer that all the pledges given them were false, or that the Government of Texas is too imbecile and weak to compel obe- dience to its laws. If either should be the fact, we can neither expect their respect for our Institutions, nor friendship to our- selves. Can it be believed for one moment, that at the time the pledges were given to those Indians, of friendship, justice and good faith, that if we had told them, we will survey your lands, expel you from your habitations, and possess them ourselves, that they would not, from the universal principle of self-preservation, have united amongst themselves, co-operated with the enemy and decided at once the question of Texian liberty? They belieYed in our pledges. They have kept their faith, and now because we have a breathing time from war, and derive confidence from the im- becility of our enemy, are we to turn round and tell them, we only intended to deceive you by our promises, ,ve are able now to
Powered by FlippingBook