Chương 158: Colonel Lewis with Indians
Toyash, Kiowa Territory (OTL's Oklahoma and northern Texas), the United States of America
April 9th, 1819
"Why do I always get stuck with the fun jobs?" Colonel Meriwether Lewis mumbled as he and five hundred soldiers marched towards the small Comanche town of Toyash located within the Kiowa Territory. The Comanche were known to be hostile and violent, much more than the Sioux up north. Therefore, the Army ordered Colonel Lewis to march towards the Comanche village under a flag of truce, while at the same time, prepare for a potential confrontation.
The colonel's guide, Stephen F. Austin, a young man from a wealthy mining family, smiled "It won't be too bad, Colonel Lewis. The Comanche are usually peaceful."
"Except when they rape and pillage towns."
"Except that, yes."
"I should've retired when William left."
Austin offered an unhelpful shrug and looked towards the Indian settlement, "How is Colonel Clark?"
"Oh, he decided to move to Texas with his family. Said he's going to make a name for himself there. Last I heard, he was building up a settlement with the help of some of his former colleagues," Lewis waved his hand, "But enough talk about our personal lives, we're here."
The Comanche representative, Taabe'kwasinaboo (whose name literally translated to "Sun Snake"), waited patiently at the settlement's entrance with a few dozen of his warriors. Colonel Lewis held out his hand for the Indian to shake, and the warrior took it. Since Austin had been living in the area for years (and supplying Mexican revolutionaries with his family's wealth, though that was not a well-kept secret), he acted as the translator for the two of them as they began their conversation, "Thank you for meeting with me peacefully."
"You brought over hundreds of soldiers, and you call this "peaceful?" Taabe'kwasinaboo said with an amused expression on his face.
"It was a precaution. I apologize if it's offputting."
"Very well, I will accept your apology. Now, I have heard from my men that your nation now "controls" the area?"
Lewis glanced at Austin, who subtly nodded his head, "Not entirely control, no. We have bought the territory from Spain, but we understand that the Comanche is in control over a significant amount of land in this area."
"Indeed. And unlike the spineless cowards in the north, we will not cede our land willingly."
The colonel internally winced at the Native American's blunt words. He formulated a plan with Austin beforehand to help ease the Comanche and convince them to sign a Western Indian Treaty (based on the Treaty of Otowahetaka). However, it seemed like it wasn't going to be that easy. The Comanche controlled western parts of the territory of Kiowa, the entirety of western Texas, and much more in the Unorganized Territories further west.
"I do not wish for a fight with you or your tribe," Colonel Lewis replied, "As such, I am more than willing to listen to your grievance and proposals."
"Would the phrase "leave us alone" be sufficient?"
"Not entirely."
"Then we are at an impasse."
"I do not think so. You see, we could offer you something that would prove to be worthwhile," The leader of the American expedition beckoned for one of the soldiers to bring out something and the said soldier complied immediately. After the crate was opened, Lewis held out the items within the crate for the Comanche to see, "Vaccines, against smallpox."
Taabe'kwasinaboo stiffened. The colonel noticed that the warriors around the man reacted the same way, which made him smile. It seemed like Austin was correct. After some American settlers started to move into Kiowa and Texas, they brought smallpox with them as well (since not everyone within the United States was vaccinated, especially out in the west). While the Comanche had managed to avoid the worst of the smallpox epidemics that wiped out entire Native American tribes early on, they were not immune to it. In fact, Austin revealed that the Comanche was suffering from a few outbreaks near the border areas. "We will provide a safe, and proven, vaccine for every Comanche member and strictly enforce any treaty that your tribe signs with our nation. Your autonomy will be respected, you may form your own government, you will be granted education, healthcare, and economic benefits, and much more. In return, we ask for you to not plunder or raid any... Mexican and American settlements, respect the right of settlers that are outside of your territories, and work with our government through the Native American Land Commission and the Native American Diplomacy Committee."
"And if we refuse?"
"Then we will continue to negotiate peacefully until we reach an agreement."
The Comanche warrior sighed, "Very well. I will speak with the Chief. Until then, you Americans are not welcome within our borders, not even members of other tribes. We will reply with our response in a month."
"Understood. As a show of goodwill, please use these vaccines to prevent other Comanche members from being exposed to smallpox. The instructions are within the crate as well."
As the American soldiers left the area, Colonel Lewis let out a sigh of relief, "That could've gone better."
"At least they didn't start shooting immediately," Austin replied, "However, if the Comanche agree to our proposal, then it should be easier to ship more supplies to the Mexican revolutionaries down in the south."
"And by "Mexican revolutionaries," you mean Guerrero?"
"He is, by far, one of the best and most idealistic ones. Let me tell you what he wrote in a letter he sent to me a few months ago..."
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