WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1837-1841
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been neglected by the Executive, who will. in the course of the summer, give his personal attention to the object of a peace with those tribes. If means are placed at the disposition of the Executive, and agencies, with trading houses, should be established at proper points on the Frontier, with a few troops stationed at each place who will do their duty, and white men and companies on the Frontier will act with prudence, less than one-fourth of the amount required, to sustain the force on the Frontier, contemplated in this act, will make peace and preserve it on the Frontier. The Indians of the prairies have no local habitations, and therefore, we cannot hope to conquer them by any number of troops. They can elude us when they do not wish to fight, nor will they f1ght without an advantage. In the prairies we cannot overtake them, for they are fleet horsemen, and can disperse themselves with a signal to meet at any point-having a knowledge of the whole region unknown to white men. If we once can treat, and they find that they can trade with us, and learn that we are not their enemies, they will become our friends. The Executive has never yet known a Treaty made with an Indian tribe, first infracted or violated by them. Everything may be gained by peace, but nothing will be gained by war. The Comanches have lately come in and desired peace. They are powerful, and if peace is made with them, they will find it to their interest and security, to obtain from the hostile tribes on their borders, obedience to them and peace to us. The reason is obvious, because, were depredations to occur, we would be liable to suspicion, which would intercept their trade and intercourse with the Texians. With this view of the subject, the Executive . feels compelled, by every consideration of true policy, to return this act without his signature, assuring the Honorable Congress, that he will, at any time that the necessities or the apparent safety of the country may require it, order out troops as may be necessary for the Frontier, or any portion of the country; and that he will give direction to raise, and, so soon as possible, to bring into the field the Corps of two hundred and eighty men. Sam Houston 'Miscellaneous Documents, University of Texas Library. See notes under To the Texas Congress, April 17, 1838, in this volume.
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