Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/331

 families existed in the colonies Texas had friendship and commerce with the border tribes. Those who engaged in the commerce found it profitable, and but few interruptions took place between the whites and the Indians. Since then causes have arisen that have broken off all commerce, and such has been the exasperation of feeling on the part of the Indians that there was no medium by which they could be approached, unless through tribes resident within the limits of the United States, or the Indian agents of that country. The fact of all the commerce of the Indians with Texas ceasing would induce them to seek a market for their spoils acquired by depredations committed upon our citizens. This they could readily find at trading houses on the Red River, and with the various tribes in friendship with the United States who could furnish them articles obtained from the United States traders, who would regard it as a fair traffic. The border Indians having secured their wives and children beyond the limits of our territory, were incited to continual outrage on our citizens, and regarded us as irreconcilable enemies to them. Extermination of all Indians within our borders having been announced by the former Executive upon his 1 coming into office, they viewed every act of hostility on their part as one of y retaliation, and their hostility having nothing of interest to counteract or restrain it, has exposed the frontiers of Texas to continual depredations. Let peace once be made with them, let them realize that they can obtain such articles as they require within the vicinity of their families and hunting-grounds, maintain good faith on our part, and they will at once perceive that their interest is to remain at peace and in commerce with us; that their women and children may remain secure in their wigwams, and renew their agriculture. Their warriors will be changed into hunters; and should they entertain a passion for war, its theater will be distant from their families; they will find new enemies to make war upon, at least as profitable as Texas; and we shall enjoy the benefits of a lucrative commerce, and become the recipients of the fruits of their enterprise, whilst our citizens will enjoy security, and our frontiers exemption from alarm.

All the information within the control of the Executive will be submitted to the honorable Congress in the progress of the session.

Gentlemen, that your deliberations may be attended with the most salutary benefits to the country, and that in its present depressed condition it may derive under a munificent providence essential aid from the exercise of your patriotism and wisdom, is my most fervent desire.

It affords me pleasure to greet you as the representatives of the nation, and to felicitate you upon the present promising aspect of our affairs. Abroad we are at peace with all the world; at home plenty fills the land. Our population is increasing, and our settlements rapidly extending.