Letters to Sam Houston from J. C. Eldredge

June 2, 1843

Anadarko Village
West side Trinity River
June 2d. 1843

To His Excellency
Sam Houston
President Etc.

Sir.

I have the honor to report the safe arrival of myself and accompanying escort thus far on our mission to the Comanche Nation—Our progress has been but slow; owing to the great weight of the Indians' packs and considerable bad weather.—At this place I learned from José Maria—that a number of Chiefs of different tribes were in the vicinity on hunting expeditions—I desired him to send runners to them, saying that I was here and wished to see them—He did so, and in the course of two days, the head cheif of the Waco, Nah-ish-to-wa—arrived and the two prisoners presented to him—He seemed deeply affected at seeing them and expressed himself grateful for their return.—The principal and second cheif of the Keechi, with a party of his warriors—the principal chef of The Caddo and loni also came in with others of different tribes—The next morning we all met in Council and I informed them of the objects of my mission—A-cah-quash also addressed the Keechi chief, telling him what he had done and seen at the Council, the words you had spoken to him, and that it was good to make peace—After considerable discussion the Cheifs of the Keechi advanced to the centre and motioning myself Mr. Torrey and Mr. Bee to approach, cordially embraced and shook hands with us, and in a short speech, said it was the first time since the war that he had shaken a white man by the hand, that he had heard the words of peace, that they were good, that in future he would be the friend to the white man and would attend at the Bird's Fort Council, and make a firm treaty of peace—I ascertained that among his people was a youth who had been a prisoner among them for several years—I applied to him for this prisoner saying that it would be regarded by my great Cheif as a token that his desire for peace was sincere, and the words he had spoken were truth—He gave me answer that he would consult with his people and notify me of their decision the next morning—Upon seeing me again he informed me that [document torn here] been made prisoner by the Tonkawa and if you would have taken from them and brought to the Council he would also have our white prisoner there, and make an exchange—He said that the youth had been adopted by an old woman of his tribe and had lived with her since he had been among them, but that she was willing to give him up if it would help to make peace—She wished however that the Chief of Texas would send her by her cheif when he returned from the Council some brass wire for armlets and a yard or so of strouding that she might keep them to remember her boy—I promised that you would send them up by the commissioners—

I have received great assistance from A-cah-quash-in my intercourse thus far with the Indians—He wishes me to say to you—that he is well and has kept his word with you in speaking peace to the Indians that he is not yet tired of doing so, but that since he has been away from home his mule has got fat, and is now able to carry him anywhere, that he will go with us to the Comanche, take care of us and return us to you again safe at the Council, and do all he can to make a general peace—

The Comanche are said to be a very great distance off, and it is highly improbable that we can return in time for the Council at Bird's Fort, still I shall use every exertion to do so if possible—I have told the Cheifs of the Tribes I have met with, that they must be there at the appointed day—If I do not return in time for the Council. I will bring the Comanche down to the falls of the Brazos, and despatch runners to inform you of our arrival, that Commissioners may be sent to meet us—I hope however to avoid this necessity by returning in time—

I regret to inform you that I have not met with that hearty co-operation from Shaw and the other Delawares that I had a right to expect. From the very first moment of our uniting with the whole party at the Council Ground on Tehuacana Creek. Shaw [document torn here] ... direction of all our movements without consulting or referring to me in the matter—At the time I thought it would extend no farther than selecting encampments and other unimportant matters, but that when any important movement was intended, I would certainly be consulted. In this however I was mistaken—So far from being consulted, routes were changed, halts for days at a time ordered and preparations for visiting different villages for the purpose of trading made without my consent being asked or required—Things had gone so far that I felt the necessity of coming to some unstanding with him on the subject—I postponed it however as a Council of the Indians who had come in was about to take place, and determined to wait until it was concluded— At the opening of the Council Shaw, Conner, and Second-Eye, made speeches—which as interpreted to me amounted merely their desire to make peace, and the feeling of their own tribe on the subject—This I submitted to, as I imagined it to be only introductory of myself and the objects of my mission, and as I supposed customary—When they condescended however to let me speak and in the course of my remarks I alluded to the words of truth and peace you had directed me to speak to the Red men; Shaw refused to interpret them, but hung down his head and was silent. Conner was then obliged to continue the interpretation of my remarks—This conduct was so marked that I could not misunderstand it, and upon making enquiries I find that he has openly declared to those with us that he was the Captain of this party, and that I was merely sent to write down what he said to the Indians and they said to him—I was to have no voice in the matter, but be subject to his directions—It is needless to assure your Excellency that under this state of affairs, this expedition proceeds not one step—I intend before leaving our present encampment to read your orders and instructions and "define my position"—He has several times intimated that he wants to go to the Canadian River and see his people to some of our party, but never to me until last evening, when he asked me how I thought it would do for him to remain at the Tawakoni Village and trade [document torn] with the Comanche. I replied that I could not entertain the idea, that you had directed him to go with us and that you would be displeased if he left us here. To this he made no reply—This morning Second-Eye told me that Shaw swore last evening that he'd be damned if he would go a long distance after the Comanche, for $150. That if they were not pretty near us when we went over again to the Brazos he should leave—Should he do So, Connor and Second-Eye will probably follow suit—Under these circumstances, I feel that I shall have to use much discretion and decision—And on an emergency shall do so, confident in my ability yet to give the expedition a successful termination—And I entreat your Excellency still to continue that confidence in me which induced you first to confer the appointment upon me—for I am determined to use every exertion to bring about as far as in me lies, a complete and lasting treaty of peace with all the Indians before the expiration of your Excelleney's administration. To this purpose I have devoted myself and will accomplish that part of it entrusted to me, or brave every danger and encounter every difficulty in doing so—

I have the honor to be your Obedient servant
J. C. ELDREDGE
Genl. Supdt. Indian Affairs

N. B. News of the Comanche has just come to camp. They are said to be about 250 miles above us on the Brazos. All therefore may yet proceed well and harmoniously.—JCE

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June 11, 1843

Tawakoni Village
Trinity River, June 11, 1843

To His Excellency
Sam Houston
Sir

In a former despatch dated at the Anadarko village I informed your Excellency of some of the difficulties I labored under in regard to the conduct of Shaw and the other Indians in disregarding my authority and your orders. I have now the pleasure of stating that these obstacles are in a great measure overcome, and that through a more concerted and harmonious action, my mission assumes a greater prospect of success.

It was not my intention to have visited these villages but to have proceeded direct in compliance with my instructions to the Comanche, but I found that Shaw had no more idea of their locality than I had, so was obliged to come hither to obtain information in regard to them. I have now learned thro the Tawakoni Chief that several bands of them are high upon the Red River and on the Canadian, but that he was not sure that Pah-hah-yuco was among them. He offered to send runners to the Wichita village where positive information could be received, which offer I accepted and four runners were dispatched this morning accordingly. They will probablv return in seven days, when of the desired information is received I shall use all dispatch in meeting them. Runners have also been sent over the Brazos to the place Shaw says was agreed upon by him and Pah-hah-yuco so that there is every reason to suppose that we shall be fully advised in a few days.

I cannot but believe that these unforseen delays and visits have been highly beneficial to the completion of a general treaty with the Indians. All the Cheifs with whom I have met were extremely anxious to see me when they learned from where I came and the object of my coming, and I have no hesitancy in saying that if I or some other agent had not been sent with the Delaware the treaty this fall would have been an entire failure and only some few and unimportant tribes of the wild Indians would have been in. The Delaware seem to be unacquainted almost with the objects of the mission, and have no distinet idea as to the manner of bringing it about. They interpret most wretchedly and I am often at a loss to understand whether they mean he, she, it or they, and am obliged to put all my notes together to obtain any idea of what they wish to communicate. They appear also much more anxious to facilitate their trading operations than the objects of the commission—To give you some idea of the manner in which they wish to conduct business. I would mention that Shaw proposed to me this morning that pack horses and men should be sent to Red River or the settlements on the Trinity for corn, (a distance of about 150 miles) as he was tired of living on meat alone, of course I did not entertain the project for a moment, notwithstanding these drawbacks I yet hope on my return to give your Excellency a report of the successful issue of the expedition.

I cannot as I could wish give you a full and minute account of all my doings surrounded as I am with all the inconveniences of a camp and an hundred indians pestering me to death, but a diary is kept of every occurence which will be submitted on my return.

I received a message from the Tawakoni chief last evening, saying that he wished to talk with me. I went to him where he addressed me to the following effect. "I have councilled with my brother the Waco Cheif and my people about the object of your coming among us, and the words you spoke to us in council, and we think it doubtful whether the Comanche and Wichita will attend a council at Bird's Fort. It would be better to have it on the Red River. They would then see the people from the United States and be satisfied that they were safe. The Comanche are like "mustangs" hard to catch and bring into the settlements. They remember the San Antonio affair and suspect treachery. We and they want to see the Chief of Texas himself, not his Commissioners—We want to talk with him, take him by the hand and hear the words of his own mouth, then there can be no mistake but all will be understood. The Delaware were first in trying to make peace between Texas and the Indians. The Waco followed and now I and my people are ready and willing to do our part in bringing it to a final close—When I saw Acaquash return home safe, and the prisoners your Chief had sent my heart was glad but he has another prisoner a Ta-wakoni girl, my own sister and I want him to give her to me too.—When we have the Council the Texians should [arrive?] first, so that the Indians may see them there and not have to wait, for we have no powder the Buffalo are scarce and if we wait a long time for them, we shall have nothing to eat—At Coffee's old fort on Red River is the best place for a Council—I tell my brother Houston this, because I know that the Comanche, Kiowa and Wichita would be much more willing to come there than any other place—They all know it and can go to it—There are plenty of good springs and timber there—another reason is that bad men have been among the Indians and said the Texians want to get them to come low down in their country and then give them poisoned tobacco to smoke and kill them all off and that the Delaware were in league with them—I want to see all the Indians at the Council that I may point to these liars, that it may be seen who they are—For these reasons, we think it would be best for the council to be at Coffee's old fort."

In reply to this I told him, "I have heard your counsel and it is good, and I have no doubt but that if my great Cheif Houston, had received it in time it would have been adopted—But now it is too late to profit by it—Bird's Fort on the Trinity was the place, selected, and all interested had been told that the council would be there and if the place was now changed many would be disappointed and the object in view defeated—as for myself I have no discretion in the matter—my Chief has ordered me to find the Comanche and if possible to bring them in to that place—my heart is glad that you are willing to assist me in making this peace and affording me so many facilities, and I shall now procede to the Comanche and use every exertion to get them in. If we fail in doing so I cannot help it, I will have obeyed my Chief's orders and am not responsible for the consequences. If I find that the Comanche will not come to Bird's Fort, but are willing to meet on Red River, I will return to hin and tell him, and he can then do as he sees fit and best".—

To this he assented, and said "he would do all he could to help me obey my instructions and that Acaquash would go with me and he would send a message by him to Pah-hah-yuco and tell him that it was good to make peace for Houston spoke truth and had given up prisoners to the Waco, that Pah-hah-yuco [should?] hear his words when he spoke for he was his brother and when Pah-hah-yuco spoke he regarded his words—That now the object was to ascertain where he was and then go to him—To do this we must send to the Wichita village for there was no knowing from Shaw and the others, for at one time they said that when they met him last fall he told them he was going to Matamoros, and at another time they said he was to meet them at the two mountains on the Brazos—They reminded him of a stray Buffalo bull who had lost his herd, looking every way to find them."

I am thus particular in regard to our interview, as he is the principal Chief and his counsel looked up to and regarded by the Waco, Keechi Wichita Tawakoni and other smaller tribes, in the same manner that Pah-hah-yuco is with his associate bands—I have learned this fact not only from the Delaware but from observations. The Chiefs of the Keechi and Waco when in council with me spoke only for themselves and their own warriors. But he in council spoke for them all, that they should, all keep peace and steal no more horses until after the great Council. He also at the Council at this place took the foremost seat and spoke all that was said while the Waco chief Nah-ish-to-wa and Acaquash the second Chief were silent and listened to his words—

The Indians all say they want to see you in person—Nothing else it seems will satisfy them, and I take the liberty to suggest to your Excellency the beneficial effect your presence at the Council would have, I am confident that more could be effected by yourself, than all the commissioners that could be sent—The Indians have been told so many lies by bad men trading among them, that they have but little confidence in any Texian save yourself and are satisfied that if you are present "poisoned tobacco" at least will not be given them to smoke—

I have the honor to be
Your Obt. Servant,
J. C. Eldredge
Genl. Supdt. Indian Affairs

P.S. I omitted to mention to your Excellency in the body of my communication that those Chiefs who come in will be attended by many of their warriors I was advised of the impolicy of mentioning to them that "You wished to see only the principal Chiefs" and my own observation convinced me that if I did so they would immediately suspect some treachery was intended and refuse to come at all—I told them however that the place of council being so far above the settlements, it would be impossible to furnish them such supplies as would have been, if we were at peace and the Council had been near our own homes—I would therefore suggest to your Excellency the necessity of having a supply of beeves on the grounds as they are absolutely the poorest, hungriest set I ever saw.

Yours etc.
J. C. E.

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December 8, 1843

Washington, Decr. 8th. 1843

To
His Excy.
Sam Houston,
President, etc.

I have the honor to submit the following report of my operations under your instructions of the 4th May ult., directing me to proceed to the Comanche Nation of Indians for the purpose of inducing their chiefs to attend a Council at Bird's Fort on the Trinity in August, to enter upon a firm and lasting treaty of peace with the Republic.

I left this place on the 7th May, on the 11th arrived at Fort Milam and received from Mr. Marlin the Comanche prisoner girl Maria for whom I was obliged to purchase a mule, saddle etc for which I gave a draft on the Govt. for $100, Exchequer bills, in favor of Mr. Adams.

On the 12th at the old Council ground on Tehuacana Creek joined my escort consisting of Mr. Thomas S. Torrey, Indian Agent, Jim Shaw, John Conner and Jim Second-Eye, Delaware guides and interpreters, A-cah-quash the Waco Chief, and four young Delaware hunters and runners, pack drivers etc. together with the two Waco prisoners and the Comanche boy "William Hockley."

On the 14th, "Martin." a Delaware Captain, requested permission to remain on the frontiers of Texas with his party and hunt until the council in August, which I gave him requesting the Citizens to suffer them to pass unmolested so long as they conducted themselves in a peaceful manner.

On Monday the 15th all things being in readiness I started for the prairies, after having encountered much difficulty in crossing Tehuacana Creek on account of the overflow and danger of wetting our goods, we encamped, having ridden about twenty miles, at this encampment we were detained three days owing to incessant rains—

On the 21st encampment again stationary, our hunters killing buffalo. we were entirely out of Meat, towards evening one of the hunters returned and reported having met two indians supposed to be Waco with nine horses, thinking they were probably some that had been stolen from the falls of the Brazos I dispatched A-cah-quash with some Delaware to overtake and invite them to our camp they returned however without success. the indians probably having become alarmed and fled.

On the 23d passed and encamped above the "Comanche Peak" about one hundred and forty miles from the settlement. our progress having been thus slow on account of the great weight of the Indians' packs and their unwillingness to travel over fifteen or eighteen miles a day.

On the 24th Jim Shaw informed me that a difference of opinion existed between Conner and himself as to the locality of the Caddo tribes of indians and proposed moving camp about six miles and sending runners both up the Brazos and Trinity to look for them that we might be correctly advised before traveling farther. To this I dissented telling Shaw that my instructions from your Excellency were to proceed directly to the Comanche at the place designated by him and the Comanche Chiefs for a meeting, and that I did not wish to visit the different villages unless they were in our route and that he would therefore guide us direct to the "two Mountains" on the Brazos where he stated when in Washington that he had agreed to meet the chief. To this Shaw replied that he was not certain the Comanche were there, that they might either have gone to Matamoros or be upon the head waters of the Canadian and that his horses and packs would not stand the trip to go to the place designated on the Brazos, and not finding the Comanche there, go to where they probably were on the Canadian river. Finding that he was as much at a loss as to their locality as myself I was reluctantly obliged to do as he proposed, we accordingly moved camp about six miles and sent off the run-ners.

On the 25th they returned and reported having met a small war party of Keechi, whom they had invited to our camp and would probably soon be in. In a short time the party appeared and were welcomed and recognized by A-cah-quash as members of his Nation. He immediately sent for me and with all the grace and dignity of a courtier introduced myself and party to his friends—after this ceremoney I invited them to be seated and after having smoked the Council pipe of peace, gave them all to eat smoking again ensued when the Captain of the party informed me through A-cah-quash that he was anxious to hear from me the words of peace. I accordingly addressed a few words to him mentioning that I was glad to meet him in peace in the prairies, that we had eaten and smoked together and were now friends, that it was not only my wish but the wish of Chief Houston, that there should be no more war between the red and white man, but that the indian might hunt his Buffalo and the white man plant his corn in peace and security that after peace had been made with all the tribes trading houses would be established where they could dispose of their peltries and derive more profit from trading than stealing a few horses from our frontier and risking the lives of their Warriors in doing so. To this he replied that he had met me in the woods and been treated as a brother that he had heard my words and they were good that from this time forward he would be the friend of the white man that he and his young men would bury the tomahawk and that he called upon the great spirit to hearken to his words, that they were true and he spoke no lies. This ends the interview. I afterwards learned from A-cah-quash that their party consisted of six Keechi and one Wichita and one Waco and had been on an expedition against the Tonkawa who had stolen their horses. The result was disastrous having had one warrier killed, a boy taken prisoner, and but two horses recovered. from then we enabled to obtain all necessary information in regard to the locality of the different tribes with the exception of the Comanche. The Anadarko and Waco villages being nearest and A-cah-quash extremely desirous of visiting his chief and restoring the two prisoner girls who had been given up to him, it was decided to proceed thither first. Our guests left us the next morning for the Waco village. By them I sent presents of tobacco to the head Chiefs of the Tawakoni, Waco and Keechi.

On the 27th started quite early and towards evening came in sight of the Anadarko village, encamped and sent a runner to appraise the chief José Maria of our arirval and the objects of our coming.

On the morning of the 28th we were notified of the approach of the chief. He shortly appeared escorted by thirty of his warriors splendidly mounted presenting and exciting novel and interesting sight from their unequalled horsemanship, fanciful costumes and paint. I invited them to dismount and had scarcely finished eating and smoking with them. when a runner came in announcing the approach of Nah-ish-to-wah the head chief of the Waco, he happened to be on a hunting excursion when our guests of a few days previous met him and informing him of our arrival he came on immediately to see his white friends and the prisoner girls we had with us. He shortly made his appearance with an escort of about twenty warriors advancing in cavalry style. The commission headed by A-cah-quash proceeded a short distance to meet him when he and three of his chiefs dismounted embraced us in a cordial manner and expressed themselves glad to see us among them for the purpose of making peace. After inviting them to camp Nah-ish-to-wah desired to see his girls. I sent for them but the eldest had secreted herself, the younger came but with great reluctance. The old chief was deeply affected at seeing her. She was his brothers child but so long time had elapsed since he had seen her that he had almost forgotten her. The chief was then invited to join the circle and scarcely seated before a delegation of Keechi was announced. It consisted of a small hunting party with the principal chief at its head and was encamped within a few miles of the Anadarko village, we again advanced to meet them as before and the same ceremonies having been performed each of the Chiefs made a short speech to the effect, "that the Great Spirit was looking down upon us and would witness the sincerity of our welcome." They were also invited to join our circle increasing the number of our guests to about seventy five. There was no council held at this time but a day appointed for one so soon as the Caddo Chiefs came in. I was not previously aware of the necessity of having counsels with these tribes, supposing all matters concerning them had been settled and arranged at the council on Tehuacana Creek where they were said to be represented by A-cah-quash. This I found was not the case. All these small tribes are friendly with each other, intermarry, join each others war and hunting parties and act generally in concert. Thus it was that A-cah-quash represented these tribes, he had no authority as far as I could learn even to bind his own tribe to a treaty. His office appears merely to have been a kind of agent to attend a council, see what inducements were held out to make peace and whether it would be safe for the head chiefs themselves to come in. I therefore found myself obliged to avoid giving offence, to delay and have talks with them when they wished, repeat all the propositions we had to make for peace and apprise them of the meeting of the council as I found they were ignorant of or had forgotten it. I was particular in explaining to them the precise day the council would be held as I was fearful I might not return with the Comanche chiefs in time and I was determined to see them if I remained out six months in search of them, knowing that I would have accomplished but little if I returned without meeting them. I therefore urged upon the chiefs of these tribes to be punctual and the statement made to the Commissioners at the Council "that I told them to wait until my return" is utterly false.

Towards evening our party broke up when we had quite a scene with the Waco girls. Nah-ish-to-wah wished them to go with them but they positively refused and cried bitterly. The chief then desired me to tell them they must go, which I did using every argument to induce them, but in vain, their lamentation and outcries were piteous in the extreme. At length the patience of the chief seemed exhausted and he told me if the chief Houston had only sent the girls for him to look at and they were to remain with us, he was glad to see them and thanked him, but if they were to be given up to him, the amount of it was he wanted them. I told him the girls were his and he could do as he pleased with them. They were then told that he would wait a little longer until they got their things ready, and if they did not then go willingly his young men should tie them on their horses and take them by force. This seemed to restore them again to their senses, reluctantly they mounted and left us shrieking distressingly. These girls had been about ten years among our people and imbibed the same prejudices against the indians that our own cnildren have, and I doubt not feel as much dread of them.

José Maria having invited us to accompany him, we mounted and in about three miles reached his village. I was informed by our guides that it is situate[d] on a western branch of the Trinity about eight miles from the main river. There are but few lodges and those of an inferior description. I observed they had planted considerable corn. I could form no estimate of their numbers several parties being absent on hunting expedition. Reports reach us here that the Comanche have just returned from Matamoros where they have concluded a peace with Mexico and since reaching home the Small pox has appeared among them, carrying them off by the hundreds, this report frightened Shaw and Conner who evinced some disinclination to proceed. I gave but little credence to these various contradictory reports, believing the Delaware to trump them up as occasion required to suit their own purposes of trade and mislead me as to the reason for their delays.

On the 30th Bin-tah the Caddo Chief and some others arrived in camp and were introduced with the same ceremonies as those who had preceded them.

About 12 o'clock on the 31st I met the several chiefs in council. Those present were Nah-ish-to-wah and A-cah-quash Waco, Bin-tah-Caddo, José Maria Anadarko, Bedi Ioni Sah-sah-roque and Kah-te-ah-tic Keechi and their several escorts of chiefs of Warriors. Of the proceedings of this council and the insolent behavior and refusal of Shaw to interpret I informed your Excellency in a despatch dated June 2d 1843. All the chiefs looked for presents, and although the articles sent by your Excellency were designed solely for the Comanche, yet as I found it would give great offence to neglect them I distributed some few articles among them, with which they seemed satisfied.

On the 3d of June we left this village and following up the trail of the Santa Fe Expedition arrived in the neighborhood of the Tawakoni and Waco villages on the 5th and encamped. A-cah-quash rode over to the village and on his return informed me that the Chiefs would meet us on the Morrow.

On the 6th considerable bustle was apparent in our camp. Couriers and expresses passed between A-cah-quash and the village and after some time moved forward in order to meet the Chiefs and their escort half way. After crossing the river we halted in a shady grove with a small prairie in front and then dismounted. A-cah-quash had informed me that considerable preparations were making to receive us in some style. I drew my party up in a line to make as good an appearance as possible and awaited their coming. In a few minutes our ears were greeted with the most terrific screaming and yelling together with the noise of drums and fifes which was nearly deafening. the woods seemed alive with indians and when the party consisting of at least one hundred and fifty warriors with the old Tawakoni Chief at their head came in sight from an opening in the timber the scene was novel exciting and of intense interest. They performed a great many evolutions such as riding in circles around us at the full speed of their horses, beating their drums and blowing their shrill whistles or fifes and finally drew up in a line immediately fronting us. The principal Chiefs then dismounted and were severally introduced by A-cah-quash. The embraces of the Tawakoni Chiefs were apparently affectionate and sincere. We then formed a circle and smoked the council pipe of peace after which accompanied by the Chiefs and their escort we mounted and proceeded to the Tawakoni village about four miles distant from the Waco. We did not stop at the latter village. it appeared to consist of only a few huts. On nearing the Tawakoni village we passed through their fields consisting of about one hundred acres planted with corn, beans melons and pumpkins all of which looked forward and well. The village is situate on a very high hill and extremely difficult of access, the fields are at the foot of it in the bottom of one of the branches of the Trinity. The village is large and the lodges well built and appear to be very comfortable. We encamped in about a quarter of a mile of the village. The report now is that the Comanche are on the Canadian river.

On the 10th I met the Tawakoni and Waco in council. Ke-chi-ka-roque the chief of the former and head chief of all the associate tribes taking the principal seat—I opened by explaining the objects of my mission and made a few general remarks relative to the pacific policy of the administration and our desire for peace. The Delaware Shaw, Conner and Second-Eye then made some remarks when the Old Chief having seated myself and Mr. Torrey immediately in front of him replied to me as follows: "The ground upon which you sit is my ground, the water of which you have drank is my water and the meat of which you have eaten was mine, and you have been welcome, not many times have the leaves come and gone since I and my people lived near the white man in peace. Had I wished I could have slain them all. They were weak and we were strong but I did not want war. Soon the white man became strong, then he killed my people. took away our lands and blood was in our path. Treaties of peace were then made but were broken by bad men. I thank the Great Spirit that has inclined the heart of your great chief Houston to peace. I have long desired it. The Great Spirit made both the white man and the red man. The same blood runs in our veins. I look upon myself and see the same likeness. The Great Spirit made the white man in knowledge next himself. He taught him to fashion every thing he wanted with his own hands. To convert the soil the winds and the waters to his own use and assistance. To the poor indian he gave none of these great gifts, he is dependant upon the white man for all. We should all be brothers. The white flag and the tobacco before us are the emblems of peace. I am glad to see them. The white path is now opening. I hope it will be kept clear that our children may see it and all go and come in safety. I have made a treaty with the United States and intend to keep it sacred so long as the water runs and the earth stands. I want it to be so with Texas. I call upon the Great Spirit to witness the truth of my words. I speak no lies. The Great Spirit looks upon us now and is pleased when he saw that peace was to be made he sent great rains and floods and caused an overflow of all the rivers that the water might wash away all the blood and bones of our slain warriors from the prairies so that our children might not behold the deeds of their fathers, but the past be all forgotten." The council then adjourned.

In a subsequent conversation the chief told me he was sorry my chief had not sent him some powder as he had no meat for his people and corn would not be ripe for a long time, he must therefore beg some for his young men. As there was no way of getting round it pretty liberal presents of powder lead etc [were] made him.

In a communication dated June 11th I detailed the particulars of another talk had with this chief and the acceptance of his proposition to send runners to the Wichita village where information he thought could be obtained of the locality of the Comanche. I also mentioned the request of Shaw for my consent to go to Strouds for corn and my denial. After the departure of the runners Conner and Shaw told me of their intention to go to Red River and deposite their skins, so that when we obtain information and do move it will be with despatch. As the distance was only seventy five miles and they promised faithfully to be back in seven days at the farthest, I reluctantly assented to their going. That there might however be no greater delay than the time specified I instructed Mr. Torrey to accompany them to urge upon them despatch if they seemed inclined to stay. Accordingly on Sunday the 11th they Started.

On the 17th the runners returned and reported having been to the Wichita village and learned from the chief that two young men had arrived the day previous direct from the Comanche that the whole body of them were about 250 or 300 miles distant on Big Salt River procuring salt and killing buffalo which were very abundant. That they were daily in expectation of a visit from the Osage with whom they were to make peace and trade. After which they were coming to the Wichita village and would probably arrive about the time Corn was fit for roasting. This was the amount on intelligence as gleaned from Second-Eye the most miserable of interpreters.

On the 18th A-cah-quash returned me a mule which had been stolen from the falls of the Brazos by one of his young warriors and which was afterwards returned by me to its owner.

On the 21st we received information direct from the Comanche through some Waco who had been on a hunting expedition. They report having seen the Chief Pah-hah-yuco himself who asked them concerning the visit Shaw had promised to make him. The tribe is supposed to be about twelve days journey distant. On the 24th we were visited by a Wichita chief and some Pawnee. The Wichita had been sent by the principal chief to see us, ascertain our numbers and the object of our coming. They had he said "been told so many lies by the Creek that they were afraid I had a large company with me and wanted to fight them." He was glad this was not so and that we came for purposes of peace. He would say this to his chief who would be glad to see us at his village. A party of about one hundred Pawnee arrived this evening for the purpose of making peace and trading with the wild indians.

On the evening of the 27th Shaw and Conner returned, offering no explanation or apology for their protracted absence. I questioned them about it but could get no satisfaction. Mr. Torrey reported that he could see no good reason why they should have delayed, that they remained idly lounging in camp at Warren's and that no persuasion of his could induce them to move sooner, that while there they had a council with the chiefs of their tribes which resulted in Shaws dictating a letter to some person about Warren's establishment, which he afterwards saw lying upon a desk directed to Gov. Butler, U. S. Indian Agent and which was afterwards despatched by a runner to Fort Smith. Mr Torrey thought this letter had a bearing in some manner upon our expedition but could procure no item of its contents. He also mentioned that Shaw and Conner remained two days after the time they told him they would return, to doctor a sick indian woman for which they boasted of having received twenty five dollars each. I remonstrated with Shaw upon their conduct in hindering our progress so much (he having been absent sixteen days) and told him that with these vexatious delays continually occuring, it was impossible that we could return in time for the council that now they had got rid of their packs I should expect them to move expeditiously to make up for lost time, and that I wanted them to start early the next morning.

On the 28th notwithstanding my wishes of the night previous no preparations were made for a start by the Indians. Upon asking the reason they informed me that their horses were too tired and some of them unwell, with several other trivial excuses. From their conduct I was well satisfied that they did not intend to move until it suited their convenience and inclinations. I would at that time have broken up the commission if I could have procured an interpreter to accompany me, but being entirely dependant on the Delaware for guides and interpreters, I found myself obliged to give way to them. A-cah-quash was highly indignant at their procrastination and would sit for hours venting his anger at their conduct. He was extremely anxious to proceed and evinced more interest in the expedition than all the Delaware.

On the 24th of July the Indians having no possible excuse for farther delay, preparations were made for a start. Before leaving the Tawakoni Chief called upon me and wanted to have a talk. He stated that a long time ago peace was made with all the tribes including the Tonkawa, that the Wichita stole the Tonkawa horses they retaliated on other tribes and war broke out again among them all. Again prace was made with the Mexicans at San Antonio, the Wichita interfered and after involving all the tribes in war retreated into the United States leaving the Texas tribes who were innocent to bear the brunt of the war. At another time reace was made with Texas at Nacogdoches the Wichita also infringed upon that treaty.

Now that peace was again to be made with the U.S. as well as Texas he wanted it known who it was that made the trouble in order that they alone might be punished and the other tribes not involved in war. In compliance with his request I stated these facts in a letter to Capt. Blake at Fort Washita. The day being somewhat advanced and not having anything to eat, our departure was delayed by a report that a hunting party would arrive in the evening with plenty of Buffalo meat and that we would be able to procure some to take with us, there being but little or no game on our route over Grand prairie. I omitted to mention that during the long absence of Shaw and Conner our hunters were often for days together unable to procure game and I was obliged to purchase of the indians vegetables for our subsistence, paying for them out of the goods I had with me, and at exorbitant rates.

Early on the morning of the 5th we started. Shaw and Conner having sent their women and children back to Red River, I was strongly in hopes that we would travel expeditiously and be back in time for the Council. But in this I was disappointed. I observed upon leaving that Second-Eye, and Jack Harry one of our hunters, took an opposite direction. I rode up and asked them where they were going, they replied that Shaw had ordered them to go to Red River and join us again at the Wichita village in ten days. I enquired their business but could get no information. I then demanded of Shaw his reasons for sending away without my consent two of the Expedition employed by the Government and received for answer "that some trouble existed among the Creek indians with the U.S. Govt. about some powder and he wanted to know all the particulars about it so as to tell the wild indians"—I knew this to be an evasion and told him that the Creek indians had nothing whatever to do with Texas or her Indians, and that I looked upon his conduct as highly reprehensible and should report to your Excellency, that not content with delaying me twenty four days at the last village he must needs keep me ten more at the next. I would also mention in this place that one of the hunters employed (a brother of Jack Harry) left us at the Tawakoni village and did not again join us. I appointed another Delaware named Francis to supply his place who is entitled to the pay agreed to be allowed the hunters for the trip. we proceeded about 20 miles this day.

On the 7th we struck Grand prairie having passed through the cross timbers, I suppose them about seventy miles wide where we crossed them.

On the 9th crossed the Big Wichita and Red Rivers.

On the 10th crossed the trail of Col. Snivelys party and encamped on Cache Creek near the mountains.

On the 11th crossed Cache Creek and encamped near the Wichita or Tawehash village. I found but one Chief and about ten warriors at home, the balance were absent on stealing and hunting parties. The principal Chief was expected to return the next morning.

On the 13th the head chief not having returned, we were invited by the Second Chief through A-cah-quash to breakfast with him. We went and were cordially received and entertained upon Buffalo meat. A-cah-quash then talked about four hours, giving an account of the Council and his visit to Washington, to which they seemed to pay great attention. It was then agreed to meet in council so soon as the head chief arrived who was hourly expected.

Contradictory reports were still received in relation to the Comanche. Shaw informed me that if they were far off he would go no farther and Conner said if it were not that he had goods with him he would not have come thus far for $150. This showed the interest they felt in the success of the Expedition. Three months would have enabled us to have gone to the Pacific Ocean, much less 250 miles from this place where the Comanche are supposed to be but the mission had been completely changed into an Indian trading expedition and the Delaware felt no farther concern than the amount of skins sand mules they could purchase, and to that fact and on them alone must rest the responsibility of its failure.

On the 14th a report was received that a Wichita had returned from hunting and met some Comanche women picking plums within about two days ride of our camp. I was extremely anxious to move on, but Shaw insisted we could not leave until the Wichita came.

On the 15th the report of the day previous was confirmed. A Keechi came in who had seen the Comanche Chief who informed him that he should soon visit the Wichita village to get corn. I requested Shaw to send runners on to him immediately or else that we should all go and meet him and hurry through with our business that we might get back in time for the Council. This on some trivial grounds was objected to, he seeming to think it quite unimportant whether we returned or not.

On the 18th the Chief having returned we met the Wichita in Council. About four miles distant from this village is a settlement of Keechi, who becoming dissatisfied with the balance of their tribe residing on the Brazos and Trinity seceded, elected a Chief of their own and moved up here to live. They with the Wichita have been the most troublesome indians in the country. I was desirous that their Chief should attend this Council and sent for him he promised to come but did not make his appearence. A-cah-quash informed me that he did not wish to make peace, but that it made no material difference as he would be forced to come into measures if the Wichita made a treaty. I spoke to the Wichita on the usual topics and was followed by A-cah-quash and the Delaware when the council adjourned till the next day to receive the talk of the Chiefs. I requested of Shaw and Conner that every thing might be in readiness early on the morrow so that we might receive the Chiefs talk and proceed on our journey immediately, to which they consented.

On the 19th instead of doing as they promised, they plead the Sickness of one of the company as an excuse for not starting and would not even attend the Council as intended, but promised me faithfully to be ready on the ensuing morning.

20th Midday arrived but Conner had not returned from a dance and frolic at the Keechi village. The council at which the Wichita was to give an answer was delayed without any ostensible reason and we lay lounging and wasting our time in camp, expending the goods designed for the Comanche among the Wichita for subsistence, our hunters being unable to find any game, while the principal business of the Commission remaining unaccomplished and unattended to. Second-Eye and Harry have not returned from Red River although sixteen days had elapsed and they were to have been absent but ten. Their absence I believe was the only reason of our delay although other reasons were daily assigned. Towards evening a runner arrived in Camp with the information that a company of white men were at the Keechi village. We rode over and found them to consist of a portion of Col. Snively's expedition under command of Maj Chandler, on their return home. I cannot avoid mentioning in this place the praiseworthy conduct of the command who almost destitute of provisions, and in sight of the flourishing cornfields of the indians, did not touch an Ear of but what they traded for. Another circumstance spoke volumes for their discipline and desire to conciliate the indians. It appears that they found in the prairies above a broken down horse which they recruited and brought with them. The Keechi Chief as soon as he saw the horse recognized him as one that had been stolen from him by the Pawnee. He informed the commander of the fact saying he had no horse left to ride to the council which he was anxious to attend. To the credit of the corps the horse was given up without ransom, the men agreeing among themselves to remunerate the one who had found him, fifty dollars his appraised value. I learned that throughout their trip the greatest kindness was shown to all the indians disposed to be friendly. Such conduct on the part of our people will exert a most beneficial influence on the different tribes.

On the 22d we met the Wichita in Council. The Keechi Chief before alluded to as being unwilling to attend was present. The Chiefs all expressed a great desire for peace and promised to attend the council on the Trinity. I gave them a small quantity of tobacco and the council adjourned.

On the 23d the Delaware having no possible excuse for farther delay we started and encamped at an old lodge of Ka-ta-ah-sah the Wichita Chief.

On the 25th we reached Pecan Creek where we had been informed the Comanche were, but found no fresh signs of them. Owing to the continuance of heavy rains and the severe illness of the Comanche boy "William Hockley," who was unable to ride, we were obliged to remain encamped. Runners were sent out in quest of the Comanche with instructions not to remain out longer than two days. They did not return however until the,

2d. of August, having seen no signs of the Comanche, it was therefore supposed by the Delaware that they had gone down the country. We then concluded to turn our steps homeward on the other side of the Mountains from that we came up on.

On the 3d. Started and encamped with a party of Delaware traders who like ourselves were in quest of the Comanche.

On the 4th recrossed Red River and discovered fresh signs convincing us of the proximity of the Comanche. We pitched our camp on the bank of a small creek and almost immediately A-cah-quash cried out "Comanches," two horsemen were seen approaching and proved to be an old blind man and a boy returning from gathering plums. He gave us the welcome information, that the encampment of the Comanche is within five miles of us but unfortunately the Chief Pah-hah-yuco had started in the morning for the Wichita village. I immediately requested Shaw and Conner to send runners there and acquaint the Chief of our arrvial at his town, and request his return, being fearful that he might delay his visit longer than he otherwise would if he was aware of our coming. They replied that one of the runners was unwell the other too tired and that they could not go themselves I tried to impress upon them the importance of our time as the Council day was early at hand, but the same indifference as thretofore shown was apparent, and I was obliged to hire an express to send from the party of traders, allowing him fifteen dollars for this trip, which Conner paid in goods, I giving him a memorandum for the amount. I do not think it should be paid by the Govt. as I consider it was the duty of Shaw or Conner to have gone, more especially as they had sent away without my consent two of the commission, who otherwise would have performed the service.

5th. Early this morning the second chief with a considerable body of his warriors visited us, after smoking and a short consultation presents were made them and we invited to move our encampment to their village which was assented to, upon our arrival we were cordially received by the wives of the chief who moved out all his baggage and placed his tent at our disposal. We moved in but finding it to be insufferably hot and that A-cah-quash and his wife had also taken up their lodgings there. I had my own tents spread and found ourselves more comfortably situated. Our position was in the town next door to the Chiefs own abode while our indian escort were camped on a Creek a few hundred yards distant. We were thus placed I presume for greater protection until the arrival of the Chief. The second chief treated us very kindly but I noticed I thought, in his conduct a distrust of some of his people. The encampment was in the open prairie on the bank of a small creek and covered a surface of about half a mile, the chiefs tent was at one end of it, and to the tents in its immediate vicinity we had access if we desired it, but the Chief would not permit me to visit the other end of the village saying "it was not good" making at the same time the action of scalping—I observed also that the Warriors occupying those lodges did not come near us while the others thronged our quarters from morning till night. From Pah-hah-yuco's immediate household we received every attention it was possible for them to bestow. Our Delaware did not find the trade so good as they anticipated. It appeared the Cheyenne and Kickapoo had been among these indians and traded for most of their disposable mules and skins.

On the 7th the runner returned and reported that the chief would shortly arrive. About 10 oclock he made his appearance escorted by three more wives and a party of warriors. Second-Eye and Harry also returned with them, A-cah-quash as usual on such occasions introduced us with great dignity. The Chief received us with a great deal of kindness and appeared pleased to see us. Upon learning that I had brought two prisoners he expressed great anxiety to see them. I sent for them and after having shook them cordially by the hand, he motioned them back to my tent. In personal appearance the Chief is large and portly, weighing I should suppose upwards of two hundred pounds with a pleasing expression of countenance, full of good humor and joviality. After our reception he threw himself on a buffalo skin, and his wives proceeded to strip him of his moccasins leggins and hunting shirt. after which he went into council with his Chiefs and warriors and remained in earnest debate until nearly sun set. The council tent was but a short distance from mine and I was enabled to see and hear all that passed. Many of the warriors in treir speeches were much excited and violent in their gesticulations and manner, I learned from an interpreter that these had relations slain at San Antonio when their chiefs went in to make a treaty and were strongly advocating a retaliation upon us, after which they were willing to listen to terms of peace. This was argued against by A-cah-quash in a long and animated speech in which as I afterwards learned he laid particular stress upon the fact that our head chief was not the same chief who ruled in Texas at the time of the massacre but was the friend of the red man. I also learned that Pah-hah-yuco objected to this course and advocated a more pacific policy but the majority were against him and at midday it was uncertain how our fate would be decided. Our apprehensions were greatly increased during the afternoon by a visit from the Second Chief who informed me that a Wichita and Tawakoni had just arrived in their camp and told them that since we left their villages a number of their people had been taken sick and died and they believed we had poisoned them and that the Comanche must not make peace or attend our council, for if they did we would either give them poisoned food or blow them up with gunpowder. I told him these men must be liars, that A-cah-quash had been with me the whole trip and would tell him that so far from poisoning them I had entirely cured his wife of a violent fever and a Keechi who was afflicted with white swellings, which I had lanced and before leaving the village entirely healed. With this he was apparently satisfied and returned to the Council. Towards evening Pah-hah-yuco sent me word that it was decided to hear what I had to say; as the day was so far advanced I deferred meeting them until the following morning. After the warriors had withdrawn to their different lodges Pah-hah-yuco came to my tent and told me of the proceedings of the day, adding that I must go to sleep and rest in safety, for none of his people should molest us during the night. He then mounted his horse and rode through and around the encampment giving commands in a loud tone of voice, the import of which was that no one should trouble us during the night or interfere with our horses or other property.

On the 8th I met the Comanche in Council. I had the prisoners neatly dressed and took them with me, seating them by my side. The Alamo Council pipe was then produced and smoking commenced, in this ceremony the Chief did not participate, nor did he ever smoke with me while I remained with him. After smoking Pah-hah-yuco addressed a few words to the warriors assembled enjoining them upon strict attention to what was said. I then addressed the Chief who was seated in front of me in the centre to the following import, through the interpreters.

"I am glad to meet my red brother Pah-hah-yuco the great chief of the Comanche in peace—I am glad that he has been willing to receive the hand of friendship I have extended to him—The Great Spirit is alike the father of the white man and the red—He looks down upon us now, and if we speak the truth to each other he will be pleased and smile upon us—But if we speak lies as with a forked Tongue, his anger will rest upon us like the dark clouds of night and we shall never be permitted to live in and enjoy the pleasant hunting grounds beyond the skies Therefore my talk shall be the truth and the words of my brother Pah-hah-yuco shall be laid up as such in my heart I will remember them and tell my great chief that the words of Pah-hah-yuco are good—That his tongue speaks no lies Houston the great chief of Texas has always been the friend of the Red man—He grew up from a Child among them—he has sat by their side and eaten bread with them since he became a man—He has never told the red man a lie nor has he ever turned away from his friends—When he takes Pah-hah-yuco and his people by the hand he will never turn away from them—but while they keep peace and treat us as brothers he will always be their friend and never forget them—nor shall the winds scatter his words—It is his desire and the desire of the Chiefs of his council that there should be no more war and shedding of blood—but that the tomahawk should be buried—the pipe of peace smoked—and the path between the white man of Texas and the red man of the prairies cleared of all the obstacles that hitherto have made difficult the way—For this purpose he has sent me with two others to you having in our hands this white flag an emblem of peace and these presents they are not the offerings of fear but the gifts of friendship as such you will receive them for no more will be given you until a firm treaty of peace is made—The chief Houston is not the same who was chief in Texas when your people were slain at San Antonio He looks upon such things with abhorrence—If the Comanche have been deceived by our people they will never again be told falsehoods—The same chief who has directed me to speak these words to you made a treaty with the Comanche at Houston and while he was chief in Texas it was not broken It was broken by bad men—and the white man as well as the Comanche have had much trouble and sorrow since—Let us now forget our sorrows and in future live like brothers. There is room enough for the Comanche in the prairies—there you can hunt the buffalo and the white man will not harm you—and when you come to us in peace you will be met as brothers and trouble will no more come among us—my chief expects if you desire peace that you and your head chiefs will go with me to the great council on the Trinity this moon, and that all the white prisoners you have, you will take with you—Your prisoners shall be there also and will be given up to you as a proof of my chiefs sincerity he has sent you these two, this boy and girl—I now present them to you without price or ransom"—at this moment I advanced from my position in the council with the prisoners and placing their hands in that of the Chief—who embraced them cordially and seated them by his side—This action seemed to give great satisfaction and a general burst of applause from all followed—The grandfather of the girl a very old man then approached and with flowing tears embraced us all affectionately and expressed his thanks for his child and his sincere hope that the peace now making would be as lasting as the hills—I then continued my remarks. "My Chief also expects you to send runners to all your different bands with talks of peace, saying that the tomahawk is buried that there is to be no more blood in the path and that the head chiefs must attend the council—I have been told by some that you would not like to go to a council on the Trinity river, fearing some harm would be done vou by our people—Do not believe this—I call upon the Great Spirit to witness the truth of my words—No treachery will be done you—You can come and go in safety and none shall molest you—If you desire it when you go to the council I will remain a hostage in your camps, and if my words to you this day prove false, let my life be a forfeit for the wrong that is done you. There must at some time be peace between the red and white man of Texas—We cannot always continue as we have been for years past, warring with each other and bringing sorrow among our women and children—The present is the most favorable time that can occur to make this peace and settle all our difficulties The chief of Texas desires only the good of the red man—He desires to see them living happily among themselves unmolested and not fearing the white man—My Chief did not send you the white men you wished for hostages or the uniform you desired He sent me and the others with me, that you might see us and hear the words of peace from our own mouths—When you make peace with me and go to see him he will give you your uniform and such other presents as one brother would give another who had come a long distance to see him—as this is a council to make peace and the place appointed so far from our homes it will be impossible to get such supplies of provisions there for you as we could wish—after we have made a final treaty and our red brothers meet us in council it will be near our people and we will have plenty to give them to eat—My words to you are spoken—" I then produced the letter of your Excellency to Pah-hah-yuco and after showing and explaining the nature of the signature and the great seal, read and presented it to him, that it might remind him of what you yourself had said and that your words were the words of peace—with this he seemed pleased and the document was apparently well received—The presents were then distributed to those present by the Chief—after this he notified me that another council would be held by his warriors in the evening and that he would be ready to "talk" on the morrow—The council then adjourned—From appearances at the close I judged that all looked more bright and favorable for us, but there was no doubt considerable division existed among them—I felt however that our situation was extremely critical, placed as we were among many who had lost relatives in their wars with Texas, and were burning with revenge for the wrongs done them at San Antonio, and would greedily have sought our destruction—My confidence in the friendly disposition of the chief was great but I did not know how far his authority would be respected if the majority was against him, as might be expected we looked forward with considerable anxiety to the morrow when our fate would be decided—

I learned this evening the cause of the delay of Shaw and Conner at Red River and the obiect of Second-Eye and Harry's being sent there by Shaw when we left the Tawakoni Village. Shaw mentioned to Mr. Sybert one of my party, in whom I place implicit confidence, some days before Second-Eye returned that in my talks with the indians I always told them the council would be on Trinity river, but that he had "fixed it all," for a letter had been written to Gov. Butler from Warren's when he was there, and that he waited the arrival of an answer as long as he could, when he concluded to return and send back for it. and that so soon as Second-Eye returned with it he would give me the letter to read and then "I should know where the council would be." Second-Eye returned however empty handed.

To this unadvised and ill judged movement on the part of Shaw and Conner must be attributed all the delays we experienced and the consequent failure to return to the council at the appointed time—I never sanctioned the delay of a day when it could possibly be avoided, on the whole trip, and the sole cause of my unpopularity with the Delaware is, that I was continually urging them to proceed and not by their procrastination defeat your Excellency's Expectations and the hopes of the country. My conduct to them was always considerate, and with a knowledge of their dispositions and prejudices, conciliating perhaps to a fault. The utmost deference was always paid to their suggestions in my intercourse with the wild indians, and had they possessed one spark of generosity they would have been grateful to me, instead of poisoning the minds of the wild indians against me after I left, inducing them to lie about my proceeding with them in council which unfortunately for me received from many more credence than my written reports.

On the 9th I met the Chief in council, when he addressed me in the following words— "My Brother, I have heard your talk and listened to the words your great Chief Houston sent me—They are good—I have long desired peace—The children of my people which your chief sent me has made our hearts glad—We know your chief speaks truth and I am willing to assist him to make the great white path between our different people I would be willing to attend the council as you wish, but my people will not go to your country unless a treaty is made another reason is that when we make a treaty I want it to be a Strong treaty, one that shall last as long as this world exists. all the Chiefs of my several bands must be present and there is not time to collect them together—I want them present that there may be no lies spoken on my side—I will visit the different bands and council with and bring them to make a treaty of some future time—I will send runners as your Chief wished with talks of peace to all the chiefs and tell them there must be no more blood—when you return to your chief, say to him, Pah-hah-yuco thanks him for his children and the presents he sent I have no white prisoners with me or I would send them to him—When we meet again in council they shall all be there".—

I then asked him how long it would require to concentrate the several bands, and at what place he would meet Commissioners in Council—after a little thought, he replied, "four Moons from this present full moon my people will be on the clear fork of the Brazos river, and if the grass is good, winter there"—I tried to induce him to come lower down the country but Shaw told me it was only one days ride from Comanche Peak, and if I pressed him farther he might get offended with me and not come at all—I was then of course obliged to accept the answer the chief gave me accordingly I drew up a treaty for a temporary peace which was entered into and signed by Pah-hah-yuco and myself with Mr. Torrey—A-cah-quash and the Delaware as witnesses—This document is now on file in the Executive Department—

On the 10th preparations were made for a start, before leaving Pah-hah-yuco came to me and wished that I would ask the Chief Houston to send him at the next council a silver medal in the form of a double cross, (thus ‡) a spear, an uniform coat and sword, which I promised him to do Happening to see my sword he insisted upon having it. I gave it to him as Shaw had promised to bring one up, and he seemed disappointed in not receiving it. The necessity of sending another is thus avoided Preparations were also made by the tribe for a move—Upon driving up our horses two were found to be absent—I mentioned the fact to Pah-hah-yuco who immediately sent some of his Mexican servants in search of them They shortly returned and reported not only the loss of ours, but five of their own—Enquiry was then made and it was ascertained that a Mexican prisoner had taken this opportunity to escape, and it was supposed he had driven off the horses with him—The Chief then informed me that he had sent in pursuit and if my horses were recovered he would take charge of, and return them at the council in December—About midday we started on our return for the Wichita village—The Chief remained at my tent until all his people were out of sight, when bidding us a kind farewell he mounted his horse and left us—

On the 11th about noon we met a chief of one of the associate bands of Comanche who had been to the Wichita village for corn—As he had some fine mules with him, our Delaware as a matter of course encamped and trading commenced, and no commands or remonstrances on my part could induce them to start before noon the next day, so that another entire day was lost—

On the 12th we arrived at the Wichita village—

On the 13th I ascertained that the Chiefs would not be ready to start for two days, so I concluded it best to return immediately to Bird's Fort and apprise the Commissioners of the delay on the part of the indians and prevent their adjourning without having a council—I left Mr Torrey of his own choice, to come down with the indians and impressed upon him the importance of urging them on as rapidly as possible—He expressed an anxiety to return and assured me that he would exert himself in every way to accomplish what I desired—I started in the evening and travelled about fifteen miles.

On the 15th my horses and pack mules having very sore backs and nearly broken down, I encamped early in the evening to enable them to recruit a little, when to my great surprise Second-Eye, whom I had selected as a guide, took a notion to start and actually left me in the prairies with but one young Delaware, who did not speak English and had never been by the route he designed to go. While Second-Eye was perfectly acquainted with it—To cap the climax of this rascality he took the only rifle we had with us, knowing that we had no provisions, and when I remonstrated with him assuring him that I would report his actions to your Excellency he only replied "that no one had told him that I was captain of the party, and that he knew his own business and should do as he pleased"—He then left and I saw no more of him until I reached "Warrens" on Red River where he had arrived one day ahead of me, thus causing me to lose another day—

On the 20th started for Bird's Fort having been detained two days to recruit the horses which were unable to proceed farther without rest.

On the 24th arrived at the Council ground, on the Trinity River—

Of my after proceedings your Excellency is already advised—

P.S. I omitted to mention in its proper place, that the amount of goods sent out by me for the Comanche had become so reduced by the purchase of a Mule from the indians and presents to the different tribes on my way up, that I was obliged to purchase of Conner some goods to make up a decent assortment for the Comanche—The amount received of him including the fifteen dollars reported as paid to a runner was about fifty dollars—I cannot state the precise amount as I unfortunately lost my memorandum book, but Conner has the certificate I gave him, and it will be found on presentation not to exceed that sum.

Upon concluding this report I would remark, that from my observation and experience among the wild indians, I can see no serious impediment in the way of securing a permanent and favorable treaty with all the different tribes—The head Chiefs and influential men among them all, feel it to be to the interest of their people to have peace with Texas—They are destitute of almost all the comforts of life, and at times undergo great sufferings which might be alleviated by an intercourse with the whites—This they are sensible of and their interests rather than any love for the white men will induce them to the observance of peace—

Upon so recent a formation of friendly relations with the wild indians, a body of men who from their childhood have been taught that aggressions committed upon the white man were laudable, and the massacre of women and children as praise worthy acts of revenge, it can hardly be expected that all depredations will immediately and entirely cease—Our frontier people must yet a little longer bear and forbear until in furtherance of your Excellency's most wise and humane policy, suitable agencies shall be established, through which when aggressions are committed, prompt and immediate satisfaction can be obtained without resorting to personal acts of revenge and retaliation which would most assuredly again involve us in a war.

I have the honor to be
Your very Obedient Servant
J. C. ELDREDGE
Genl. Superintendent of Indian Affairs etc.

[Endorsed] Report of the General Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Decr. 8, 1843.