The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 26, July 1922 - April, 1923 Page: 142
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Southwestern Ihstorical Quarterly
tions further said: "It has been usual, heretofore, to give presents.
For the future such custom will be dispensed with."39 Colonel
Hugh McLeod, Adjutant-General, and Colonel William G. Cooke,
Quartermaster-General, were appointed commissioners to treat
with the Comanches. After receiving instructions similar to those
given Colonel Fisher, they went to San Antonio to wait for the
arrival of the Indians.4o
In a letter to Lamar on March 20, 1840, McLeod gives an ac-
count of all that transpired after the arrival of the Comanches:
On yesterday morning the 19th inst. two runners came into
town and announced the arrival of the Comanches, who, about a
month since, held a talk at this place, and promised to bring in
the Texian prisoners in their camp. The party consisted of 65
men, women, and children. The runners also informed us that
they had with them but one prisoner (the daughter of Mr. Lock-
hart).
They came to town. The little girl was very intelligent, and
told us that she had seen several of the other prisoners, at the
principal camp a few days before she left; and that they brought
her in to see if they could get a high price for her, and if so, would
bring in the rest, one at a time.
Having ascertained this, it became necessary to execute your
orders, and take hostages for the safe return of our own people-
and the order was accordingly given by Col. Winm. G. Cooke, acting
Secretary of War.
Lieut Col. Fisher, 1st Infantry, was ordered to march up two
companies, and place them in the immediate vicinity of the coun-
cil room. The chiefs were then called together, and were asked,
"Where are the prisoners you promised to bring in to this talk?"
One of them, Muke-war-rab, the chief who held the last talk and
made the promise, replied-"We have brought in the only one we
had; the others are with other tribes." A pause ensued, because,
as this was a palpable lie, and a direct violation of the pledge
given scarcely a month since, we had the only alternative left us.
He observed the pause, and asked quickly, "How do you like
answer ?"
The order was now given to march one company into the council
room, and the other in the rear of the building, where the warriors
were assembled. During the execution of this order, the talk was
re-opened, and the terms of a treaty directed by your excellency to
be made with them in the case the prisoners were restored, were
discussed, and they were told the treaty would be made when they
"Manuscript: Albert Sidney Johnston, Secretary of War, to Colonel
Wm. S. Fisher. January 30, 1840. Indian Affairs.
4John Henry Brown, Indian VWars and Pioneers of Texas, 76.142
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 26, July 1922 - April, 1923, periodical, 1923; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101084/m1/148/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.