LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Signature Texana Auction #661  / 

56283

Sam Houston DS Texas Indian Treaty

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:7,500.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
Sam Houston DS Texas Indian Treaty
<B>Remarkable Sam Houston Document Signed</B></I> "<I>Sam Houston</B></I>" as President of Texas, one page, 9" x 11". Countersigned "<I>W.D. Miller/Private Secretary</B></I>." Washington, April 15, 1843. All in manuscript including the heading in block letters: "<I>Sam. Houston/President of the Republic of Texas.</B></I>" In full, "<I>To all to whom these presents shall come: Know ye that HAD-DA-BAH, a Chief of the Caddos, is one of the signers of the treaty lately concluded with various border tribes of Indians, and therefore is entitled to the friendship and protection of the whites, so long as he shall continue to walk in the path he has helped to make. When he returns to his tribe he will give them the talk of peace, and keep all his warriors, and the warriors of his friends, from mischief, from stealing horses and from war. We wish and expect a firm and lasting peace; but if mischief is done, trouble will grow out of it. He will give counsel to all his red brothers of all tribes to make peace. This is the talk of a friend to peace and a brother . - He will be expected at the Great Council in August when we will again shake hands. Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the Republic, at Washington the 15th day of April, 1843</B></I>." Washington D. Miller (1814-1866) served in the Texas Congress (1840-1841) before becoming Sam Houston's private secretary (1841-1843). He later served as Texas's Secretary of State (1848-1850) and Secretary of the Senate (1851-1853).<BR>Sam Houston made Indian policy a principal concern of his second administration. On July 1, 1842, he appointed a commission to "treat with any and all Indians on the Frontiers of Texas." The Indians, too, were more open to negotiation after the costly wars under the Lamar administration had reduced their numbers. In August 1842, representatives of various border tribes agreed to a peace council at the Waco village on October 26, 1842, but no one attended. On March 31, 1843, two weeks before Houston signed this document, chiefs of nine tribes accepted an invitation to a Grand Council to conclude a treaty of peace. Had-dah-bah was one of the Indians accepting the invitation, shaking the hand of Pres. Houston, and agreeing to meet in August when they would "<I>again shake hands</B></I>." <B>This official document was created by Houston for the Caddo Chief to show to his people on his return home.</B></I> It was not written on a preprinted document because no such document existed, so it was clearly handwritten in the format of an official proclamation. The two leaders met six months later and on September 29, 1843, Had-Dah-Bah was one of 14 chiefs who signed the treaty with the following preamble: "Whereas, a treaty of peace and friendship between the Republic of Texas and the Delaware, Chickasaw, Waco, Tah-woc-cany, Keechi, Caddo, Ana-dah-kah, Ionie, Biloxi, and Cherokee tribes of Indians, was concluded and signed at Bird's Fort, on the Trinity River, on the twenty ninth day of September, in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three, by G.W. Terrell and E.H. Tarrant, Commissioners on the part of the Republic of Texas, and certain chiefs, Headmen and warriors of the tribes of Indians aforesaid...Whereas, for sometime past, hostilities have existed and war been carried on between the white and red men of Texas, to the great injury of both parties; and whereas, a longer continuance of the same would lead to no beneficial result, but increase the evils which have so long unhappily rested upon both races; and whereas, the parties are now willing to open the path of lasting peace and friendship and are desirous to establish certain solemn rules for the regulation of their mutual intercourse: Therefore, the Commissioners of the Republic of Texas, and the chiefs and Headmen of the beforementioned tribes of Indians being met in council at Bird's Fort, on the Trinity River, the 29th day of September, 1843, have concluded, accepted, agreed to and signed the following articles of treaty..." In the first of 24 articles, "Both parties agree and declare, that they will forever live in peace and always meet as friends and brothers. Also, that the war which may have heretofore existed between them, shall cease and never be renewed." On January 31, 1844, the Texas Senate ratified the treaty and, on February 3, 1844, President Sam Houston signed one of the few Indian treaties ever entered into by the Republic of Texas. Long green, white, and yellow ribbons affixed with superb embossed 2.5" diameter seal of the Republic of Texas. Lightly soiled. Fine condition.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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