"In Order To Give Full Security And Protection To Our Trading
Parties Circulating In All Directions Through The Great Prairies,
I Am Under The Impression That A Few Judicious Measures On The
Part Of The Government, Involving A Very Limited Expense, Would
Be Sufficient.
And, in attaining this end, which of itself has
already become an object of public interest and import, another,
of much greater consequence, might be
brought about, namely, the securing to the States a most valuable
and increasing trade, now carried on by caravans directly to
Santa Fe.
"As to the first desideratum: the Indians can only be made to
respect the lives and property of the American parties, by
rendering them dependent upon us for their supplies; which alone
can be done with complete effect by the establishment of a
trading post, with resident traders, at some point which will
unite a sufficient number of advantages to attract the several
tribes to itself, in preference to their present places of resort
for that purpose; for it is a well-known fact that the Indians
will always protect their trader, and those in whom he is
interested, so long as they derive benefits from him. The
alternative presented to those at the north, by the residence of
the agents of the Hudson's Bay Company amongst them, renders the
condition of our people in that quarter less secure; but I think
it will appear at once, upon the most cursory examination, that
no such opposition further south could be maintained, so as to
weaken the benefits of such an establishment as is here
suggested.
"In considering this matter, the first question which presents
itself is, where do these tribes now make their exchanges, and
obtain their necessary supplies. They resort almost exclusively
to the Mexicans, who, themselves, purchase from us whatever the
Indians most seek for. In this point of view, therefore, coeteris
paribus, it would be an easy matter for us to monopolize the
whole traffic. All that is wanted is some location more
convenient for the natives than that offered by the Mexicans, to
give us the undisputed superiority; and the selection of such a
point requires but a knowledge of the single fact, that these
nations invariably winter upon the head waters of the Arkansas,
and there prepare all their buffalo robes for trade. These robes
are heavy, and, to the Indian, very difficult of transportation.
Nothing but necessity induces them to travel any great distance
with such inconvenient baggage. A post, therefore, established
upon the head waters of the Arkansas, must infallibly secure an
uncontested preference over that of the Mexicans; even at their
prices and rates of barter. Then let the dragoons occasionally
move about among these people in large parties, impressing them
with the proper estimate of our power to protect and to punish,
and at once we have complete and assured security for all
citizens whose enterprise may lead them beyond the border, and an
end to the outrages and depredations which now dog the footsteps
of the traveller, in the prairies, and arrest and depress the
most advantageous commerce.
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