OCR Text |
Show any Indians or non residents he might meet with and reconnoiter the country around the weak settlements, and on the Sevier River: and not wishing to further weaken the settlements of the region of the threatened difficulties I ordered Capt. Robert T. Burton to raise twenty nine men from Great Salt Lake City, and follow me to Manti. On arriving at Manti I found the Indians much bent on trading children to the Mexicans, though they told me that if we would pay them as high a price as the Mexicans offered and pay in hand guns and ammunition, they would trade with us. I told them we wished to do them good, and counseled them to raise their own children and to refrain from stealing any from other tribes, and that ammunition sufficient for hunting would be traded to them for skins and pelts as soon as it could be produced or procured. I finally succeeded in pacifying the Indians at Manti but not hearing from Capt. Wall's command, and not knowing how many mexicans might be at large stirring up strife, and aware that in the event of open collision I could operate more effectually at head quarters in quieting the minds of the people, and directing operations, I returned this city. After my return, Captains Wall and Burton reported that the Indians they met were considerably frightened by the sudden armed movement and expressed a strong desire to be at peace on finding themselves foiled in their plans which were exceedingly qualifying, as much bloodshed and great expense were doubtless prevented by this prompt method and at comparatively but a small dollars, as will be seen by the accompanying vouchers Nov. 10 and 11 which I presume will be promptly and cheerfully allowed by the department as the services were rendered and the bills audited and paid by me in good |