Telegraph and Texas Register (Columbia, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 41, Ed. 1, Wednesday, November 23, 1836 Page: 1 of 4
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VOX.. I.
WE GO FOR OUR COUNTRY.
PUBLISHED WEEKLY
-BY G. &.T.H. BORDEN.
COLUMBIA, WEBESBAY, NOVEMBER 23, 18S6.
TERMS, $5 PER ANN., IN ADVANCE
ADVERTISING. USUAL PRICES.
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FIRST CONGRESS FIRST SESSION.
the date of their
re?d a first time
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Friday, November 11.
The house met pursuant to adjournment, and the journal
was read. A message from the senate was announced, contain-
ing articles and resolutions passed on the 8th November, forming
the basis onwhich ln.xas claims admission to the Union of the
Jnited States: also allowing a private secretary to the Presi
dent. And on the 11th November, joint resolutions explaining
the different acts in relation to the service of volunteers, and
exteiding-those acts relating to bounty lands; also, affixing the
adjournment of Congress to the 1st of December: ordered to lie
on the table.
Mr. Bunton presented a petition from William Oldham,
administrator of James Bowie, deceased, and accompanying
accounts; referred to the committee on claims and accounts.
Mr. Bunton presented another petition from John Ingram,
who had resided fourteen years in the country, claiming such ad-
dition to his head right as would at least make it equivalent to
the advantages others possessed by superior location with prior
claims on the Republic. The claims of the petitioner were sus-
tained by Mr. Bunton, and it was sefcrrcd to a select commit-
tee of three, Messrs. Bunton, Billingsly, and Robinson.
Mr. Fisher presented a petition from Lieutenant James
Humphries for the payment of 436 dollars 14 cents, for services
rendered; bounties for which he had become security, &c: re-
ferred to the committee on claims and accounts.
Mr. Billingsly reported an amended bill for the better pro-
tection of the Indian frontiers.
Mr. Branch moved it lie on the table.
Mr. Bunton hoped the house would immediately take up this
bill, and act upon it. If gentlemen were acquainted with the
sufferings of the inhabitants on the frontiers, it would not be dif-
ficult to convince them that no time should be lost in putting
into immediate operation the means of relieving them from those
incessant outrages. Those means hitherto adopted were inef-
fectual. Theinfantiy could never be of the least service. The
Prairie Indians would play around them, and laugh at them. A
mounted corps can alone effect the purpose. The council, last
fall ordered a ranging corps, but it was never organized. The
frontier of the Colorado-the waters of the Brazos lost many of its
inhabitants and much property. And what section ofthe country,
when the tocsin ofalarm was sounded, produced better men, not-
withstanding the outrages they suffered on the frontiers; they
were firstin the field of battle, to present their breasts to danger. I
also contend that a mounted corps is not more expensive than the
infantry; and, when occasion presents itself, they will be always
found ready as a most efficacious corps of cavalry in the field
against1 the Mexicans, if necessary. It is idle in the extreme to
ialk of treating with the Indians; you cannot see them, nor can
yon effect any possible good by it. The mode devised by the
bill is the only available one to defend the frontier.
The Speaker informed Mr. Bunton he was not strictly in
order, as amotion to lie on the table was before the-house.
The question being put that it lie on the table, the nays
aecicled against .
Mr. Roman remarked that it was only the report of a mi-
nority of the committee, i
Mr. Bunten pressed the adoption of the bill as amended,
and argued the right of a minority to report.
Mr. Fisher-said that the President stated, that if trading
bouses were established, persons would enter into security that no
depredations should be committed, he would therefore move
the postponement ofthe bill until to-morrow. Carried.
Mr. Bunton reported from the select committee, on the pe-
tition of M. B. Menard, a bill entitled an act relinquishing the
government right to one league and labor of land on the east end
o Galveston Island in consideration of the payment of fifty
thousand dollars; read a first time and made the special order
nf :i sp.r.nnd reading at 11 o'clock to-morrow.
Mr. Rowe reported on a suitable location for the seal of
government, and recommended JMacogdoches, irom its numei-
ous advantages, its dieting and lodging its good water and sa-
lubrity its contiguity to the United States, and its complete
security from the ravages of the enemy.
Mr. Baker was delighted with all the advantages Nacog-
doches possessed; particularly some of the last enumerated; (a
laugh) he would, however, move that it be relerred to tne com-
mittee on the state of the Republic, to report a bill, leaving a
blank to be filled up by vole ofthe house; carried.
Mr. Chenoweth reported by bill, that the laws of Terras
and Coahuila were as yet unrepealed, and thai volunteers still
possessed the right to head rights and bounty lands, as under the
old laws; and introduced a series of resolutions confirming those
opinions. .
Mr. Baker observed that the same subject was before the
judiciary committee, and he moved that it lie on the table: car-
Mr. Hooper reported a bill relative to strays; read a first
time, and ordered to a second reading.
Mr. Rowe moved a joint resolution of both houses, autnor-
isino -the secretary of war to modify the contract with Mimicam
Hunt, to commute 1240 men for half in provisions, to the at-
on the treasury bear interest from
execution, and be received at par for taxes:
and ordered to a second reading to-morrow.
Mr. Roman moved that five hundred copies of the report
relative to Santa Anna, and the public and private treaties be
printed in pamphlet form: ordered.
The house adjourned till 4 o'clock; and a quorum not being
present, adjourned till to-morrow morning 10 o'clock.
4-oinmonf rf mrnorshiT)
' Mr. Wharton could not well understand bowmen were to
oe'cbmmuted for provisions.
-" " The resolution was read, and ordered to future considera-
Mr. Bunton moved that ihe President be authorised to- de-
spatch a minister to the United States forthwith, to enter into
negbciatkms and treaties, and to affect the annexation ol iex-
S",Mr. Green moved that that subject and all documents com-
mitted with it, be taken up at 12 o'clock to-morrow.
Mr. Geraglity reported by bill, that all drafts and orders
Saturday, Nove-viber 12, 1836.
The house met this day pursuant to adjournmentr"And
The journal was read.
A message from the senate, conveying a joint resolution to
confer on the bill for the negociation of five millions of 'dollars,
was presented, and the rule to lie on the table being suspended ;
Messrs. Green, Baker, and Branch were selected for the
conference.
Mr. Fisher reported a bill from the military committee, for
the better defence of the Indian frontiers. Read a first time.
Mr. Bunton hoped the house would not concur in the re
port; it is said that the amended bill oi yesterday cannot accom-
plish its object.
Mr. Green said that this was not the time on the first read-
ing of a bill, to discuss its details.
Mr. Baker contended that Mr. Bunton was perfectly in or-
der; he availed himself of the only opportunity that could pre-
sent itself of opposing concurrence in the report of the military
committee, and there surely was no other way by which he could
establish his opinion for its rejection, than by instituting a com-
parison with its merits, and that of the bill before the house
yesterday.
Mr. Bunton proceeded; ihe mlantry at Victoria were
compelled to leave their horses to be taken; and there has been
a signal failure in the ranging corps. -So far from the army
proving a defence to the inhabitants of the frontiers, they can
not protect themselves against tne inaians; it requires aiert,
agile, and dexterous men, that shoot a buffalo, or wind a deer to
watch those wily Indians. The appointment of infantry can do
no possible good; it is like leaving a wheat farm without a bar-
rier to turn off the stock; when, instead of raising a barrier to
prevent their ingress, they strew the wheat outside to lure them
on. The sutterings lrom those Indians are too great not to ar-
rest your immediate attention; two hundred and fifty men can
accomplish the whole object; they must furnish their own hor-
ses and accoutrements ;-lel them receive twenty dollars monthly
pay, and IJsol acres, say ar iour mis uie acre, wu muii nave u
mounted corps available against tne luexicans, snouio it become
necessary; and when the tug of Avar comes, you will find the
frontier men as bravo as any in the field. Will you then leave
such men unprotected? I trust not. Erecting trading houses as
contemplated by the bill lust read, may be very good; but 1 as
sert, they are utterly useless, unless protected. It would require
much time, if it could ever be accomplished, to bring about such
a state of things as to engage these Indians in the business of
your trading houses. What, during the process ol this civilized
and amicable arrangement are tne irontier men to do against
the habitual outrages committed on them? What has been the
effect of the attempt made beiore to estaonsn trading nouses.
There never was more than one load of provisions sent there,
and no possible benefit derived from the experiment: I trust the
house will not concur in the substitute offered by Mr. Fisher.
Mr. Fisher. The entire objection oi the gentleman from
Mina, seems to be, to the appointment of infantry. There ib
nothing in the bill preventing the adoption of the most efficient
means to attain the desired object; he presumes that the bill
proscribes those means that he himself may deem available; but
such is not the case.
Mr. Green. I said yesterday that I was a frontier man,
that all my property was on the frontiers; and I am opposed to
the bill of Mr. Billingsley, because inefficient: in fact, to both;
and shall propose a resolution to refer the whole matter to the
executive, who can devise decidedly the best means to defend
the frontier, and to whom, in my judgment, the duty seems spe-
cially to belong. General Jackson whipped these fellows to
their homes. Why cannot our executive do the same?
Mr. Bunton had heard the gentleman speak more than once
of all his property on the frontier, where he had no family, house,
or even cattle. What injury could the Indians do to such pro-
perty? He too wished to leave the matter to the executive, but
to vest with the power on wnicn io aci.
The speaker alluded to the singular circumstance of three
distinct propositions engaging the attention of the house at the
same time, and proposed a conference.
Mr. Baker objected to a conference, and considered it no
anomaly in legislation thai three distinct propositions on one
subject should be before the house.
The gentleman from Washington spoke to a point of oider.
Mr. Branch contended for vesting the right in the executive.
Mr. Baker urged the amendments as proposedby the mem-
ber from Mina; some of his own constituency were oppressed;
and it has been asked 'one thousand times, What has this house
done for us? What will it do? I implore you, sir, to pass that
bill as amended. If you substitute that ot the military commu-
te v,o npnnlp. will consider themselves neglected, and their
cause thrown aside. You must change the very character of j
the Indian before you can accomplish the object ot the other
bill in the manner it prescribes. It is said, the executive alone
have the nower in this matter; this house lias tne ngnt to ihiku
alone the outrages of these men can be repressed. All the trea-
ties that ever were made with them were violated with a solitary
exception, that of William Penn. They never regarded any
treaty; the western boundaries of the United States were laid
waste; and if I may judge from their peculiar character, there
is no protection but the rifle and the sword. The bill proposed
by the gentleman from Mina, is decidedly the best that can be
adopted ; and I again implore you not to weigh in the balance
human blood with dollars and cents. Surely, such an obstacle
as money will not induce you to withhold your protection even
within some miles of San Felipe, property has Tieen lost, and
lives destroyed. I hope the house will not hesitate in its adop-
tion ofthe amended bill.
Mr. Archer said, there appears but a slight difference .be-
tween the bill, the amendment, and resolution. Questions of
econonry have been discussed; appeals to feelings on conflagra-
tion, and mangled bodies are made. Is it to be said, because
the imagination of gentlemen can depict blazing houses, and
midnight scenes of outrage, they are therefore more competent
io devise efficient means for the protection of the frontier, than.
the secretary at war, or our president. Have they had no ex
perience of such things? It is said, we are in chaos, legislating
in thjedark; that we may btop to weigh dollars with blood.
Nonsuch thing: but we propose to economize. We are without
means, and we wish to leave to the wisdom of the executive the
execution of those means they deem best to accomplish the ob
ject. I have been informed on good authority, that we "may em
ploy any number of Cherokee Indians m our service, and I think
about 200 would be sufficient, and far preferable to all the block
houses you can erect. We have been referred to the experi-
ence ofthe United Stales for the futility of effecting treaties
with the Indians; and one remarkable instance, as quoted by
the gentleman from Austin, is admitted as having been inviolably
observed; and why? because William Penn kept good faith with
the Indians, both in the letter and spirst of his treaties; and it
is also a remarkable fact, that all treaties that have been viola
ted, it will be found to have been in the first instance on the
part ofthe white settlers: there is, moreover, little hope of civi
lizing the prairie Indian; and I do think that these block houses
are indispensably necessary. We are now, however, legislating
on guess work: it will be necessary to appoint engineers to make
the most judicious selection for these block houses. It is not for
us to say Gonzales, or any other point is best. The wise direc
tions ofthe executive engineers, will determine this matter.
In the mode of defence by the Cherokee Indians, the inhabitants
have another advantage, they are not compelled to leave their
homes, unless in the event of a greater force of Indians coming
en masse, upon them. The question is, Is it better to withdraw ..
these men from their homes or defend them in the manner I
suggest?
Mr. Bunton. The people i represent do not want the Che
rokee Indians to protect them; thep would entreat to be deliv
ered from such protectors. Yvrho can confide in them? What
was their conduct at Matamoras? They joined the Mexicans.
Who would think of trusting the frontier to these treacherous
butchers? I hope, that until some better evidence ol their good
faith is adduced, they do not deserve this important trust. The
very same Cherokee Indians have formed an alliance with gene
ral Urea.
Mr. Billingsley. The gentleman from Brazoria extols the
wisdom and efficiency ofthe prcident and secretary of war, and
urges to leave this subject entirely to them. Last July, the peo
ple were obliged to abandon tneir nomes; tneir property was
destroyed, and themselves in danger. I went with ten men to
the army, and petitioned the now secretary oi war, to give me
some men to assist rac in this emergency. What was his answer?
He would not give me a single one; nor would 1 take back the
ten men I brought, nor obtain the assistance of any one on the
road coming to the army. These were tne patriotic ieeungs
that then existed. I know not how far they are improved since
in behalf of the frontier men. There are a few block houses
now, with ten men in each.
Mr. Green defended the secretary of war, and stated seve-
ral cases where he had despatched officers and men to defend
the frontier, and under proclamation of general Rusk, every
horse in the army was taken, and were sent with men to join
general Burleson in defending the frontier.
Mr. T5nknr. The Deoolewill be compelled to retire; they
have done so before, and returned, because a sufficient body of
rangers had been sent to their assistance. I implore those gen-
tlemen I see aroud me, who are not exposed, nor their constitu-
ents, to hesitate before they vote against this bill. Where can
they find, where see these Indians to make treaties with tbem.
If they can do so if they have any particular information or
peculiar project to warrant the belief that these treaties can be
effected, in God's name let us have the ioformation. But while
these day dreams are being bodied forth, the blood of the peo-
ple is wasted, and the conflagration of their pioperty is going
on. 1 presume some men will be sent to the Indians by the
president to speak them friendly. O yes, and they will receive
friendly answers. But do we not know their characters suffici-
ently well? In the name of the people I pray you, in the name
of God, and as an humble suppliant for those people, I pray you
to pass this bill.
Mr. Wharton. $eioretnis question is put,x uug iuaj tuo.1.
I regard the people on the frontier as much as any one in this
house. I do not believe that block houses with a thousand men,
would do any good. If such proposition were embodied in an
act to be passed by this house, it is impossible that we can here
laws io govern that executive in tneir power. r h. GI "V7"nt w do not sit the whole year round, and
much experience as the secretory oi war; yes, wr, uit. u uouj - compelled to leave it to the executive. Block
scenes on the fronties are practical lessons, Fffcld0 f SP, about which there seems to be such
theory of books. I ask, what has -F-jr are precisely the same as far as regards
v t i i : is i wt. linn .--- - - --.-' -w
J !i.1-A.4- loTirc
,0U ?CC" l?I!f , :;V,rXl ,h,.v o mSce laws on Itheir defence; and why they object to the one
L-. oc wll ncovnrv other subiect. I must confess I heard noth-
I cannot see.
Trading houses will even have more defence; and I wish to give
to the president the power to avail nimsen oi an ie resumes
iis
no
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G.& T.H. Borden. Telegraph and Texas Register (Columbia, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 41, Ed. 1, Wednesday, November 23, 1836, newspaper, November 23, 1836; Columbia, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth47905/m1/1/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.