The southern press., 1851-05-14
From the Republic.
The Indian Tribes on the Texas Frontier.

Among the dispatches recently received at
the Department of the Interior Is the memoran-
dunn of conversation between Wildcat, or
Coacooche, and Colonies CoopeIand Temple, at
Eagle Pass, Texas, on the 9th of March, .lS5l.
Coacooche, it appears, spoke first and ext
pressed great joy at meeting Colonel Cooper,
his old friend He said it made him feel like he
was again in Florida, surrounded by his warriors
and his friends General Worth, Colonel Cooper,
and Major Sprague and that Colonel Cooper
and himself mad reason to thank the Great Sp rit
for sparing them In health when so many of
their brothers had fallen around them, a great
load had pressed him down, and he had been
troubled in spirit; but since he had seen his
friend it had been removed, and he felt happy
once more He then remarked that the Anne
ricans were his friends, and that the Mexlcans
also were his friends, and that he wished TO live
in peace with both, and remain the friend of
both; that he had made peace with bis great ia
Their, the President; that they had smoked the
pipe of peace, and the white smoke had gone
up to the Great Spirit as witness of their 81 :.
cerity; that they buried the Ratchet in the EARTH
and no one was to dig il up; that they had raked
up the blood in the war.path, and swept it clean,
so that both might travel it together in peace as
brothers; that his great father ha given him land
in Arkansas as home and burying ground for
him and bis people, on which they might hunt
and raise corn, and live in peace with their
brothers--the whites.
But he said the Creek Indians had come upon
his land, and tried to involve him in difficulties,
had stolen from him his negroes; and, to avoid
war, he had left that place and started to search
for a new home in Texas that he twice tried
to 90 to. San Antonio to see lis oldest friend,
n oIn hut a f,r.nd hack hv nn l.
troops each time that he wandered on in search
of home, until he reached Mexico, where he
had remained until this time. He said he was
not settled in Mexico that he had no home,
but lived in tent, and was only staying there
with part of his people 10 hunt until he could
get home where he could spend his days in
peace lie said he had seen enough of war
that he wished TO spend his old age in peace
with the whites, and in taking care of his child
re1 and people. He said he wished to see his
old friends on this side of the river; that he
had wished TO 90 10 San Antonio TO see the gen.
eral in command, but the liberty had been de-
MED TO him; that he wished n home in Texas,
and that when he found it, all his people in Ar
kansas would follow him. He said that the In
dian agent for the CIR eks had tsken the part of
that tribe against him, and had treated him
badly; that he could not return TO his home, or
hold any communication with his people, on &C.
count of the Camanches on the one hand, and
the United States troops on the other; and that
the Creeks in the mean time had stolen all his
negroes and other property which he left be-
hind him.
This chief was answered by Colonel Cooper,
who told him, among other things, that il was
believed by many persons that he was restless.
and could not remain contcnted for any length
of time in one place, and that that WAS thought
to be the real cause of his leaving his home
and he wished to know truly whether what he
(Coacooche) had stated was the only cause Of
his leaving; TO which he answered, firmly and
decidedly that il was. The Colonel also said
to him that all the land in Texas belonged TO
the people Of this State that the President did
not own any of it, and that he could not give
him home here, unless he could purchase il
from Texas. The Colonel again remarked that
he was glad TO see him; that he was his friend
that he had confidence in him, and that he would
do all he could to make him happy.
Coacooche said that the talk was good.
Colonel Temple then informed the chief that
the President had sent him to talk with all the
Indians on the frontier that he was very happy
to see so great warrior; that he had heard Of
him since he (the Colonel) was n boy, and had
for long time wanted TO see him, and had come
all they way from San Antonio for that purpose
that the President had sent him, in conjunction
with two brother commissioners out into this
country, TO have friendly talk with all the In
dams, but that his brothers were now IN San
Antonio; that he had heard Of the wisdom of
the chief, and had confidence in his honesty and
friendship, aud that lie wished to ask his opinion
about the best means Of inducing the Comanches
and other tribes to cease from their depredations
and to live in peace with the whites.
The chief expressed the following opinion,
and communicated the facts here stated, namely:
That the Camanches were a numerous race, but
not brave warriors; treacherous and double
tongued, and no confidence can be placed in
them that they will sake peace one day, and
steal from and kill the party with whom they