I Fought a Good Fight: A History of the Lipan Apaches

22. Promises, Promises

211 22 CHAPTER Promises, Promises The Lipan are a tribe of considerable importance, and may be ranked next to the Comanche among the Indians of Texas. — David Burnet, 18471 As Houston nervously stonewalled Old Flacco, General G. W. Terrell pledged during the first council at Tehuacana Creek in March 1843 that white people would do justice to Indian people and that “none shall intrude upon them.” Terrell also promised them “a country to live in, in Texas,” and “a great abundance of buffalo and other wild game to feed the red men who come to live in Texas.”2 OnFebruary3,1844,followingaseriesofcouncils,Houstonsigned a new treaty with all the Texas tribes except the Comanches and Kiowas . It embodied all the principles of his peace policy but didn’t draw a line between settlers and tribes. Ramón Castro and his brother Seuge represented the Lipans. They were already at peace with the Comanches , and for months five Caddos had camped with Lipans on Boregas Creek, south of San Antonio. Lipans were also on tributaries of the Guadalupe northwest of Gonzales and ranged between the headwaters of the Llano and Frio. In June Comanches defeated by Mexicans near Matamoros fell in with a party of Lipans who brought them to their well-stocked camp on the Frio and gave them supplies and horses.3 On October 7 at Tawakoni Creek, Houston gathered the tribes for another council. “I want the Lipan and all the other Indians to become 212 I FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT friendly, as brothers, and to bury the tomahawk,” Houston said. “The Comanche and Lipan have made peace, and I want them to keep it fast.”4 Representing the Lipans were principal chiefs Chiquito, Juan Castro, and Roan. With them were Seuge Castro, Flacco Chico (Little Flacco, probably Young Flacco’s son), and Castillo. This list squares more or less with an agent’s tally of primary leaders: Lemas Castro, principal chief; Ramón Castro and Juan (John) Castro, war chiefs; Captain Roan, war chief; Captain Chiquito, civil chief; and Captain Chico, civil chief.5 Two days later the republic forged another treaty. The tribes promised not to treat with any nation (namely, Mexico) at war with Texas, nor would they steal. They would trade only with Texans, and Texas would establish trading posts for them, operated by men of good character . No whiskey would be sold to Indians. The Texans promised to keep bad men from the Indians’ hunting grounds, to supply weapons for hunting, and to send blacksmiths and teachers. Should the Indians go to war, they would confine their aggression to warriors and not kill, capture, or injure women and children. They agreed to give up their captives. The tribes refused to designate a permanent dividing line but agreed that the line of trading houses could serve as a boundary between Indians and whites. Signing for the Lipans were Ramón Castro and Captain Chico. President Anson Jones signed on February 5, 1845.6 Jones continued Houston’s peace policy, convinced it was cheaper and more humane to buy friendship with the tribes than to fight them. The total cost of Indian affairs in Houston’s second term was $139,092; Anson Jones would spend $45,000 in 1845. (Ramón Castro received gifts during his November visit; he surprised Jones by asking for an umbrella.) Lamar’s persecution of tribes had cost $2,552,319.7 Q R On September 19, 1845, Indian commissioners convened the tribes at Tehuacana Creek. Ramón Castro, Chiquito and Captain Chico, along Promises, Promises 213 with three warriors, represented Lipans. “I am happy to learn that all is peace,” said Ramón Castro. “I wish to say to the President and the commissioners that I bring my people here to continue our friendship, and that I want to give my hand in peace, to all the tribes present. I do not come here with a forked tongue. I come to make peace with all, and I know that my young men will keep it and not molest the property of anyone. The old chiefs present must tell their young men not to break the treaty but to assist one another in maintaining it. I saw some at the last council that pretended to be at peace that are not here now. I fear they do not intend to keep the treaty. I do not see any...