WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1831-1832
267
To HENRY L. ELLSWORTH 1
Fort Towson 1st Deer 1832 Dear Sir A few days since, I arrived at this point after a journey thro' the least inviting country, that I have ever seen. The country is mountainous and barren, with the exception of a few water courses upon which the Indians may form pleasant settlements, and the wilderness country, will be suitable for game and hunting. It has been my first and most important object, to obtain all the information possible, relative to the Pawnee, & Kimanchie Indians, and after much pains on the subject I have determined to give you the result of such information as has been received by me, not by any meaRs avouching its authenticity but leav- ing it to the test of probability. But first, I will promise, that the means of acquiring correct information upon the subject of those Indians, have been very imperfect and of course our Gov- ernment is ignorant of the number, character, and disposition of the different Tribes. The causes which have arisen to produce difficulties, between the citizens, of the U. States, and the Indians; in Treaty, and amity with them, are various, and inportant, so far as they concern the wild Tribes. When our Traders first had intercourse with them, they were· friendly and confiding in their deportment. Their traits with occasional intermissions contin- ued, as well perhaps from the national disposition of the Indians, as from the fact that the articles introduced by the T·raders, were of great importance to the Indians, some being of absolute use, while others gratified their taste. When the Traders had succeeded in exchanging their articles of traffic with the Indians for horses, and mules, they would col- lect them, and prepare for their return, then if possible they would collect as many more horses, and mules, as possible, be- Ion [g] ing to the Indians, where they were, not apprised of it, and stai·t back, taking a rout for the timbered land, where the Indians were affraid to pursue them. This was not the universal practice of the Traders, but you will readily perceive, that, occa- sional occurrences, of this kind were well calculated, to create, distrust, and finally settle down in positive hostility. In these facts you will find reason sufficient for hostility to traders from the U States. The Indians in treaty with the U. S. frequently accompanied the Traders, and consequently, shared, and no doubt deserved the odium incident to such faithless conduct - The
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