Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/356

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Houston's Literary Remains.

are not heard in council. The chief is no more. His life has fled to the Great Spirit. His eyes are closed. His heart no longer leaps at the sight of the buffalo. The voices of your camp are no longer heard to cry; " Flaco has returned from the chase!" Your chiefs look down on the earth and groan in trouble. Your warriors weep. The loud voices of grief are heard from your women and children. The song of birds is silent. The ears of your people hear no pleasant sound. Sorrow whispers in the winds. The noise of the tempest passes. It is not heard. Your hearts are heavy.

The name of Flaco brought joy to all hearts. Joy was on every face. Your people were happy. Flaco is no longer seen in the fight. His voice is no longer heard in battle. The enemy no longer make a path for his glory. His valor is no longer a guard for your people. The right of your nation is broken. Flaco was a friend to his white brothers. They will not forget him. They will remember the red warrior. His father will not be forgotten. We will be kind to the Lipans. Grass shall not grow in the path between us. Let your wise men give the counsel of peace. Let your young men walk in the white path. The gray-headed men of your nation will teach wisdom. I will hold my red brothers by the hand.

Thy brother, Sam Houston.

LETTER TO A-CAH-QUASH, CHIEF, ETC.

Washington, April 19, 1843.

A-cah-quash, Chief of Wacoes, etc.:

My Brother:— It has been represented tome to-day that upwards of two hundred horses have been taken from the Lipans and Toncahuas by some of the wild Indians, said to be a party of Wacoes. They are supposed to be the thirty out at the time my brother was here, and who did not know of the treaty.

As these horses were stolen after my brother had signed the treaty of peace, it is expected that he will see them returned to the Delaware trading-house, so that the Lipans and Toncahuas may get them. On account of the peace the agent prevented the warriors of the Lipans and Toncahuas from pursuing and retaking their horses, and referred the matter to me to say what should be done. I have told them that you would have them returned, for I had all confidence in your words. By returning the horses it will help to make peace with all the red brothers, and the Toncahuas will not wish to fight or ever again eat people; and the Lipans will be at peace forever with the Wacoes and their friends. The Lipans and Toncahuas say if they do not get their horses, that they will make war until they get pay for them. This my brother, the Waco chief, knows. I do not like my red brothers to have war. Let all my red brothers make peace, and keep it.

Your brother, Sam Houston.