The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-08-04

the Indians within the limits of the State of Texas which
gives very favorable account OF the present temper OF
those Indians, and their friendly disposition towards the
United States The udcious arrangements made by the
Indian Department will doubt secure continuance OF
present amicable relations with them, if they not
tempered and improperly nieered with by reckless and
designing white In consequence OF their wild and
barbaous condition. their rowing habits and disposition,
and long OF in their predatory excur-
slons into the Mexican territory, these Indians are very
difficult to control andmanage and considering the tempta
ton and excitement growing out OF our military operations
so near their vicinity, it is matter of little wonder
that they have been kept quiet and peaceable The
management of relations with them is rendered the
more embarrassing and difficult because OF our peculiar
relations with Texas in reference to her Indian popula
ton, and the territory they claim and occupy In the
case of other Indians of the United States, the general
government holds the original right of soil, and has
passed. and enact such laws deemed requisite
for the regulation of trade and intercourse with Them and
for their welfare and improvement. Texas, however,
claims the country occupied by the Indians within her
borders and consequently present laws in relation TO
the Indians, do not extend it, and the general govern
ment is therefore without the authority and power
quse eectually govern and control the Texas Ind
ans and to prevent their being improperly intruded upon
and nerfeed with by white persons II can WELD only
moral influence and under these circumstances great
credit is due to the Indian Department for the success OF
its exerons so far in keeping them quiet and peaceabe
|
Santa Fe route have been made principally by Cumanche
and Arapahoe Indians, headed, believed by Mexcans
The latter Indians belong to New Mexico; and this must
also be the with the Cumanches concerned in these
ourages the report of Mr. Neighbours clearly indi-
Gates that none of those in Texas could have had
participation in them.
| ToRREYs TRADING-H House, June %, 1s47.
SIR: have the honor to submit for your consideration
the following report OF my proceedings and observations
On the 22d of May arrived at the principal village of
the Cumanches, which situated about 100 miles
north of Austin the village consisted of about $50 lodges
All the principal chiefs were present, with the exception
Mo- cho- cope, and Po-chana-qu HEP, with large
number of the principal men and warriors was met at
some distance from the village by the head chief, and
ceived very friendly reception. remained IN their WI
lage three days, and treated with the utmost kind
ness during my stay. The day after my arrival held
council with them and explained to them fully the action
of the government in relation to their affairs aso the
determination of the department to do everything neces-
sary for their benefit and welfare which proved general
! ly satisfactory.
During the talk had the treaty read and interpreted to
them; they appeared well satisfied and made objection
to any of its provisions, until explained the amendments
and informed them that the Sd and 9TH articles were srck
OUT when there strong objections on the part OF
the chiefs to any alteration of the original treaty Po-
chan hiep Buffalo Hump said 81 cannot agree
that the Sd article in the treaty shall be stricken out
for that article put in at my request For long time
great many people have been passing through my coun-
I they kill all the game and burn the country and ,oa
Father promised to keep these people out OF our country
believe white brothers do not wish to run line be:
tween us, because they wish to settle in this country
object to any more settlements want this country to
hunt in"
Pa-ha-yu-ca said: s.We all object to any alteration in
the treaty The that made that treaty were the best
men had; and when made it, we considered all
good and do not wish to alter it now. The third article
put in at the request Of my principal war Chief Tor
| the protection OF my people,"
explained to them fully that the alterations made no
difference in the general bearings OF the treaty and for
their satisfaction read your letter OF instructions as tar as
related to their affairs, and had it fully interpreted to
them; after which they appeared to be well satisfied
find that they violently opposed to any extension OF
our settlements and much annoyed by, and very sspi
made many remarks about the heretofore proposed line to
be run between them and the whites and wished to dis
cuss that matter; which saw would lead to warm words
as they appeared much excited when the subject was
preached avoided all discussion OF the matter; and
when they wished to know when it would be adjusted,
told them knew nothing in relation to 1t at present. but
tried to satisfy them by assurance that all those mat
tiers would be settled by the government in good time
and to their entire satisfaction They finally ai's En- much 9
our council over all appeared in good humor, and
pledged themselves to do all in their power to carry the
treaty into effect and abide by its several stpuatons
For the last few months settlements have extended
very rapidly and unless checked will continue 10 do so.
Also, frequently large parties OF surveyors penetrate
These movements keep the Cumanches and many other
tribes in continual excitement and, unless some meas
be adopted by the department to check the sur
veyos it will finally lead to serious difficulties From
these causes, the Cumanches in doubtful state OF
quetness and there telling how there will be
a general outbreak among them. The present laws of
Texas do not acknowledge that the Indians have any
right OF so and those persons holding land claims con-
tend that they have the privilege of locating wherever
thew choose Under these circumstances, the department
must be aware that the agent of the Indians can effect but
little towards preventing those persons from gong INTO
| the Indian country
These parties do not in any manner interfere with
Tho Ind mole
themselves entirely to surveying and treat the Indians IN
the kindest whenever they approach them In
! friendly way.
| l have watched their movements narrowly, and can
see nothing wherein they violate the treaty stpuaons
with the Indians; the only OF dissatisfaction be-
ing jealousy the part of the Indians that they Will
have their hunting grounds taken from them. The Gu
manche chief Santa Anna) talks Of these matters with
more intelligence than any of the other CHIEFS and is de.
votedly attached to the whites. He says, if the other
chiefs better acquainted with the whites all proba-
blity of would cease; and that he does everything
in his power TO induce them TO remain quiet The other
chiefs are very Jealous, and him OF having sold
himself to the whites, SC. He recommends that dele
cation of from fifteen to twenty of the principal chiefs OF
the Cumanches be formed at early period conve
nent the Department, to visit Washington and other
that such would do to secure their friend
ship. and peace than ten times the cost expended
in presents.
am decidedly of his opinion, and would respectfully,
but earnestly, recommend its consideration TO the de-
partment.
Pa-ha-yu-ca, one of the principal Chiefs accompanied
me to this place, and gave him presents He left
well satisfied
On the Both OF May arrived at the villages of the