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Chapter 22 Indians in the Republic
Chapter 22 Indians in the Republic
"We must undertake all effort to remove the Indian threat from our lands at once!"- Vice President Mirabeau B. Lamar 1838
"If Texas wants the bloody Indians then I say we let them have them."- President Richard Mentor Johnson 1838
"The White man speaks of freedom, yet he gives none to us."- Quannah Parker 1876
Due to the fact that the Republic of Texas entered as a nation with less than 50,000 settlers and inherited lands with tens of thousands of Indians, expansion and conflict was bound to happen at some point. Unlike the Untied States, Texas simply did not have the manpower or resources to go on a war for expansion and eliminate the power of the frontier tribes. Even the reinforcement of the French military's wasn't that much of a help as their past colonial experiences taught that it was more beneficial to live in peace and trade than to declare war, thus they would only respond to attacks against Texas citizens rather than go on the offense. Thus, Houston saw that the best solution to the Indian problem was for Texas to try its hand at diplomacy and at the very least get the various tribes to be put to good work as citizens of the Republic under the Indian Citizenship Initiative. To say that everyone on both sides were okay with the new proposal is a far cry from reality. Lamar and a significant portion of the Texas Congress were against any and all moves to citizenship that would grant the tribes equal rights in the nation. While many of the tribes, especially the Comanche and Apache, thought that it would be more honorable to die in combat against the white man rather than to submit their independence. Still, luckily for the nation there were people on both sides who did support the initiative. Many settlers in the frontier while not comfortable with the idea of Indian citizens, would rather see the motion go forward as it would guarantee for peaceful lives in the frontier and their property protected, while opening up many possible trade opportunities. While some among the Texas Indians saw this as the best choice they could have as there would be nowhere else to go with the United States and Mexico both having staunch anti native policies. This is the story of the various tribes of Texas.
Alabama-Coushatta: The Alabama-Coushatta are a dual tribe who as their name suggests come from the modern state of Alabama and were once an important tribe of the Creek Confederacy. When the British first expanded into the region after the Seven Years War the Alabama-Coushatta were the first tribe to leave the area, heading for the modern regions of Texas and Louisiana. The Texan group of the tribe would settle into Texas around the Trinity River and were active supporters of Texan Independence during the Revolution. In return for their loyal support to the Republic, Sam Houston gave the Alabama-Coushatta 6,000 acres of land to settle in East Texas. In later years the tribe would form a strong trade relationship with the growing city of Lamar and while the tribe's numbers have been reduced substantially, they are today one of the oldest living tribes within the Republic.
Apache: Unlike other Indian groups the Apache are to be best understood as not one single Indian tribe but rather a large and diverse culture with many different tribes spread out among the Southwest. The Apache were actually the largest Indian group within the Republic of Texas with the Comanche coming in at a close second. For many years the Apache have continuously fought against any form of Spanish colonization and have been known for their ferocity and efficiency in their raids, making them a large reason why the California and New Mexico territories were never largely colonized. In the aftermath of the Mexican Civil War, the Apache were able to thrive for several years, the reason being due to the immense chaos and instability within both Mexico and the Rio Grande, and the depletion of Mexico's military force during the war. During the 1840's the northern frontier of Sonora and Chihuahua were known to be hellholes to the Mexican citizens due to many families farms coming under raid from the Apache, forcing many to seek refuge within large towns or immigrate to Texas. Due to their ripe success in Mexico as well as Texas holding of little value, the Lipan Apache of Texas were more content to trade with the settlers and roam the plains in search of food rather than seek conflict. While their would be many skirmishes within Western Texas during the 1840's for the most part a general peace held with the help of French forts within the area. This small era of peace would be crushed as The California Gold Rush triggered a massive expansion west. With the rise of the railroads came the onset of the Apache Wars.
Apache Raiders
Caddo: For several centuries the Caddo Confederacy was the premier Indian power within the region. This large nation was made up of several tribes and lived a largely agricultural style as their people dominated the lands of the West Mississippi. The Caddo within Texas can primarily be found within East Texas near the United States border and until the 1800's had been living in near isolation due to the low amount of Spanish colonization in the region. When Mexico gained independence and formed the empressario system life changed for the Caddo as they found their ancestral lands being invaded by white settlers. Back east the situation was getting worse as American settlers filled the land with the creation of the states of Arkansas and Louisiana and sought to brutally drive out the Caddo to protect "their land". Lacking the warlike nature of the Comanche and the Apache, while being simultaneously devastated by disease, the Caddo sought the route of diplomacy with the Texas. When entering the Indian Citizenship Initiative the Caddo were given lands near the Sabine red rivers and soon formed profitable trading partnerships with French and American immigrants. Unfortunately the Caddo would be under intense pressure from assimilation and land speculators due to their presence in the most fertile and densely populated lands of Texas. Still though the Caddo have managed to persevere over the years and maintain the Caddo district near the Arkansas and Seqouyah border.
Caddo Nation Flag
Cherokee The Cherokee are perhaps one of the most well known Indian nations within North America due to their large history and status as one of the five civilized tribes. From the 1600's the Cherokee have had a long history of conflict with America as their lands occupied the southern region of the United States, with the Cherokee being one of the toughest opponents of the American colonists. Using tribal rivalries and help from the French, the Cherokee managed to stay independent for several decades only ceding small amounts of land to the British in major wars. Everything changed after the French and Indian War where the British arrived in full force and the new nation of the United States sought to completely decimate the Cherokee. In order to adapt the Cherokee adopted several aspects of western civilization and were willing to cooperate and live in peace with the United States. These dreams would be shattered in 1835 as President Jackson overrode the Supreme Court and kicked the Cherokee and other civilized tribes from their lands in the Southern United States, causing the Trail of Tears. When the Cherokee moved west many settled in Indian territory but others sought to travel to Texas as their were bands of Cherokee that had moved there in previous years to escape persecution. It was in Texas that the Cherokee would find their salvation as President Sam Houston was a former member of the Cherokee nation within Tennessee. Houston sought to save his Cherokee brethren from their fate of destruction and offered massive amounts of land to the Cherokee who were willing to settle in Texas. Indeed the Cherokee would be the most successful of the Indians as thousands would move to Texas where they would rebuild the Cherokee Nation and successfully integrate themselves within Texas society, playing prominent roles in the Mexican War and post-Mexican War settlement of the frontier. Conditions for the Cherokee would often be so good that Cherokee from Indian territory would often defect to Texas to seek a new life, something the Americans happily agreed to. Today the Cherokee are the largest Indian nation in Texas with 350,000 people and form a large role within the society of East and North Texas.
View attachment 289156
Flag of the Cherokee Nation
Comanche: The Comanche are perhaps the most infamous and popularized Indian Nation within Texas history. For years the Comanche had roamed the plains of West Texas where they were the dominant nation with their mastery of horseback riding and hunting, being given the nickname of the "Mongols of the West". So powerful where the Comanche that they had driven the Lipan Apache from their lands and for decades had prevented any form of settlement within Western Texas. They were truly a force to be reckoned with and were the long hated foes of the Texas Rangers. Naturally as expansion in Texas increased and the Indian Citizenship initiative was opened the people of Texas looked first to the Comanche to see their response. Surprisingly at the moment the Comanche were content. While they had no love for Texas the Comanche widely embraced the potential opportunities and power they now had in a nation that had far less power and control than Mexico. In most of the 1840's there was also little settlement of Western Texas which left the Comanche docile and had some formed trade with pioneers, though Comanche raids were still a common occurrence. When the ICI was announced many in the Comanche nation were split on the issue. Some saw the benefits that came with the program and thought that Comancheria could finally gain recognition as their territory within Texas. While other Comanche rejected any compromise with Texas and advocated a continuance of their current way of life. For now many Comanche were content to sign peace treaties with Austin and continue their buffalo hunts on the great plains. This fragile peace would soon be tested come the westward settlement in the 1850's and 1860's.
View attachment 289153
Map of Comancheria territory (Right) Image of Quannah Parker as leader of the Comanche in the game Civilization 5 (Left)
Lenape: The Lenape or Delaware Indians, are a tribe who unsurprisingly come from the state of Delaware. The Lenape were once a powerful nation in the eastern seaboard but over the centuries with British colonization and diseasae there numbers were severely reduced and their territory stripped for settlement by the Americans. Finding no hope within their homes in the east, the Lenape chose to head west and seek their fortunes in the frontier. The results of the Lenape migration would be mixed with many of the tribe playing vital roles in the settlement of Missouri and Kansas, though later being forced onto reservations within Seqouyah. The Lenape would find their best fortune within Texas as they would move to the area under the Spanish and would come to peacefully assimilate with the Spanish and later Mexican culture. When the Republic of Texas took charge the Lenape like the Alabama-Coushatta would welcome the new change peacefully. The Lenape would soon be appreciated in Texas as their people would often aid in settlement towards the west and were vital in the exploration of new lands in Texas. In fact for many decades Lenape scouts served alongside the Texas Rangers in keeping peace in the frontier and protecting settlers from hostile Indians. Benjamin McCulloh was even quoted as saying "I've fought many Indians over the years who I've always hated with a passion, the Lenape though have earned a place of respect for they are the true definition of a civilized man." Though the Lenapes numbers would gradually decrease over the years they are still beloved in Texas history and currently many reside within Lenape county outside the Houston area.
Wichita: The Wichita people are relatives to the Caddo who for years could be found within East Texas. They encompassed several tribes within the region including the Wichita, Keechi, Waco, Tavoyas, and Tawakoni. For many years the various Wichita tribes lived in peace on the frontier with their subsistence lifestyle and were so powerful that they received respect from the Comanche. In the latter part of the 18th century though the Wichita would come to find themselves under attack by disease and their numbers decreasing across the plains with increasing white expansion and conflicts with other tribes. This forced the Wichita to settle down in Texas where they made peace with the Spanish, overtime the grouping of the Wichita peoples together made them be known to outsiders as a single tribe of Wichita rather than a diverse group. The Wichita were willing to enter the ICI and established some settlements along the Brazos River and North Texas, the most famous of them being Wichita Falls, Texas.
View attachment 289159
Wichita Falls, Texas
Thanks to the unique position of Texas and the early peace movements by Houston, the Indians of Texas would overall find themselves in a better state compared to their American brethren. Unfortunately many Indian wars still raged on the frontier until the 1880's, though most of the Indian population were able to find a new home in Texas where they became civilized and were able to preserve their culture and territory within the Republic. The Indian Citizenship Initiative was so successful that even the American tribes of the Choctaw, Kiowani, and Chickasaw would want to migrate to Texas, with this movement being increased after the American Civil War. The Texan Indian has come to form a large role in the Southwestern identity of Texas with many Southwestern films depicting noble yet wild tribes of the frontier who were the first to settle the land. Today there are many Indian tribes and nations that can be found in Texas with each playing a prominent role in Southwestern culture as the Tejano or Southern groups.
A/N: This thread, IT'S ALIVE!!! Yeah everyone really sorry for not posting on Sunday like I promised, but writing this chapter was probably the hardest I've had to do and alot of IRL conflicts kept on getting in the way of me completing it. I'll try my best to get Chapters 23-25 completed on the weekend. By the way if anyone has any important non Texan/American events between 1836-1846 that they feel would change or be a good divergence in the TL please tell me and I'll see whether or not I shall include and change them before the 1846 Arc. Thanks once again for reading and loyally sticking around. Remember to comment down below and all input is welcome. Long live the Republic!
"We must undertake all effort to remove the Indian threat from our lands at once!"- Vice President Mirabeau B. Lamar 1838
"If Texas wants the bloody Indians then I say we let them have them."- President Richard Mentor Johnson 1838
"The White man speaks of freedom, yet he gives none to us."- Quannah Parker 1876
Due to the fact that the Republic of Texas entered as a nation with less than 50,000 settlers and inherited lands with tens of thousands of Indians, expansion and conflict was bound to happen at some point. Unlike the Untied States, Texas simply did not have the manpower or resources to go on a war for expansion and eliminate the power of the frontier tribes. Even the reinforcement of the French military's wasn't that much of a help as their past colonial experiences taught that it was more beneficial to live in peace and trade than to declare war, thus they would only respond to attacks against Texas citizens rather than go on the offense. Thus, Houston saw that the best solution to the Indian problem was for Texas to try its hand at diplomacy and at the very least get the various tribes to be put to good work as citizens of the Republic under the Indian Citizenship Initiative. To say that everyone on both sides were okay with the new proposal is a far cry from reality. Lamar and a significant portion of the Texas Congress were against any and all moves to citizenship that would grant the tribes equal rights in the nation. While many of the tribes, especially the Comanche and Apache, thought that it would be more honorable to die in combat against the white man rather than to submit their independence. Still, luckily for the nation there were people on both sides who did support the initiative. Many settlers in the frontier while not comfortable with the idea of Indian citizens, would rather see the motion go forward as it would guarantee for peaceful lives in the frontier and their property protected, while opening up many possible trade opportunities. While some among the Texas Indians saw this as the best choice they could have as there would be nowhere else to go with the United States and Mexico both having staunch anti native policies. This is the story of the various tribes of Texas.
Alabama-Coushatta: The Alabama-Coushatta are a dual tribe who as their name suggests come from the modern state of Alabama and were once an important tribe of the Creek Confederacy. When the British first expanded into the region after the Seven Years War the Alabama-Coushatta were the first tribe to leave the area, heading for the modern regions of Texas and Louisiana. The Texan group of the tribe would settle into Texas around the Trinity River and were active supporters of Texan Independence during the Revolution. In return for their loyal support to the Republic, Sam Houston gave the Alabama-Coushatta 6,000 acres of land to settle in East Texas. In later years the tribe would form a strong trade relationship with the growing city of Lamar and while the tribe's numbers have been reduced substantially, they are today one of the oldest living tribes within the Republic.
Apache: Unlike other Indian groups the Apache are to be best understood as not one single Indian tribe but rather a large and diverse culture with many different tribes spread out among the Southwest. The Apache were actually the largest Indian group within the Republic of Texas with the Comanche coming in at a close second. For many years the Apache have continuously fought against any form of Spanish colonization and have been known for their ferocity and efficiency in their raids, making them a large reason why the California and New Mexico territories were never largely colonized. In the aftermath of the Mexican Civil War, the Apache were able to thrive for several years, the reason being due to the immense chaos and instability within both Mexico and the Rio Grande, and the depletion of Mexico's military force during the war. During the 1840's the northern frontier of Sonora and Chihuahua were known to be hellholes to the Mexican citizens due to many families farms coming under raid from the Apache, forcing many to seek refuge within large towns or immigrate to Texas. Due to their ripe success in Mexico as well as Texas holding of little value, the Lipan Apache of Texas were more content to trade with the settlers and roam the plains in search of food rather than seek conflict. While their would be many skirmishes within Western Texas during the 1840's for the most part a general peace held with the help of French forts within the area. This small era of peace would be crushed as The California Gold Rush triggered a massive expansion west. With the rise of the railroads came the onset of the Apache Wars.
Apache Raiders
Caddo: For several centuries the Caddo Confederacy was the premier Indian power within the region. This large nation was made up of several tribes and lived a largely agricultural style as their people dominated the lands of the West Mississippi. The Caddo within Texas can primarily be found within East Texas near the United States border and until the 1800's had been living in near isolation due to the low amount of Spanish colonization in the region. When Mexico gained independence and formed the empressario system life changed for the Caddo as they found their ancestral lands being invaded by white settlers. Back east the situation was getting worse as American settlers filled the land with the creation of the states of Arkansas and Louisiana and sought to brutally drive out the Caddo to protect "their land". Lacking the warlike nature of the Comanche and the Apache, while being simultaneously devastated by disease, the Caddo sought the route of diplomacy with the Texas. When entering the Indian Citizenship Initiative the Caddo were given lands near the Sabine red rivers and soon formed profitable trading partnerships with French and American immigrants. Unfortunately the Caddo would be under intense pressure from assimilation and land speculators due to their presence in the most fertile and densely populated lands of Texas. Still though the Caddo have managed to persevere over the years and maintain the Caddo district near the Arkansas and Seqouyah border.
Caddo Nation Flag
Cherokee The Cherokee are perhaps one of the most well known Indian nations within North America due to their large history and status as one of the five civilized tribes. From the 1600's the Cherokee have had a long history of conflict with America as their lands occupied the southern region of the United States, with the Cherokee being one of the toughest opponents of the American colonists. Using tribal rivalries and help from the French, the Cherokee managed to stay independent for several decades only ceding small amounts of land to the British in major wars. Everything changed after the French and Indian War where the British arrived in full force and the new nation of the United States sought to completely decimate the Cherokee. In order to adapt the Cherokee adopted several aspects of western civilization and were willing to cooperate and live in peace with the United States. These dreams would be shattered in 1835 as President Jackson overrode the Supreme Court and kicked the Cherokee and other civilized tribes from their lands in the Southern United States, causing the Trail of Tears. When the Cherokee moved west many settled in Indian territory but others sought to travel to Texas as their were bands of Cherokee that had moved there in previous years to escape persecution. It was in Texas that the Cherokee would find their salvation as President Sam Houston was a former member of the Cherokee nation within Tennessee. Houston sought to save his Cherokee brethren from their fate of destruction and offered massive amounts of land to the Cherokee who were willing to settle in Texas. Indeed the Cherokee would be the most successful of the Indians as thousands would move to Texas where they would rebuild the Cherokee Nation and successfully integrate themselves within Texas society, playing prominent roles in the Mexican War and post-Mexican War settlement of the frontier. Conditions for the Cherokee would often be so good that Cherokee from Indian territory would often defect to Texas to seek a new life, something the Americans happily agreed to. Today the Cherokee are the largest Indian nation in Texas with 350,000 people and form a large role within the society of East and North Texas.
View attachment 289156
Flag of the Cherokee Nation
Comanche: The Comanche are perhaps the most infamous and popularized Indian Nation within Texas history. For years the Comanche had roamed the plains of West Texas where they were the dominant nation with their mastery of horseback riding and hunting, being given the nickname of the "Mongols of the West". So powerful where the Comanche that they had driven the Lipan Apache from their lands and for decades had prevented any form of settlement within Western Texas. They were truly a force to be reckoned with and were the long hated foes of the Texas Rangers. Naturally as expansion in Texas increased and the Indian Citizenship initiative was opened the people of Texas looked first to the Comanche to see their response. Surprisingly at the moment the Comanche were content. While they had no love for Texas the Comanche widely embraced the potential opportunities and power they now had in a nation that had far less power and control than Mexico. In most of the 1840's there was also little settlement of Western Texas which left the Comanche docile and had some formed trade with pioneers, though Comanche raids were still a common occurrence. When the ICI was announced many in the Comanche nation were split on the issue. Some saw the benefits that came with the program and thought that Comancheria could finally gain recognition as their territory within Texas. While other Comanche rejected any compromise with Texas and advocated a continuance of their current way of life. For now many Comanche were content to sign peace treaties with Austin and continue their buffalo hunts on the great plains. This fragile peace would soon be tested come the westward settlement in the 1850's and 1860's.
View attachment 289153
Map of Comancheria territory (Right) Image of Quannah Parker as leader of the Comanche in the game Civilization 5 (Left)
Lenape: The Lenape or Delaware Indians, are a tribe who unsurprisingly come from the state of Delaware. The Lenape were once a powerful nation in the eastern seaboard but over the centuries with British colonization and diseasae there numbers were severely reduced and their territory stripped for settlement by the Americans. Finding no hope within their homes in the east, the Lenape chose to head west and seek their fortunes in the frontier. The results of the Lenape migration would be mixed with many of the tribe playing vital roles in the settlement of Missouri and Kansas, though later being forced onto reservations within Seqouyah. The Lenape would find their best fortune within Texas as they would move to the area under the Spanish and would come to peacefully assimilate with the Spanish and later Mexican culture. When the Republic of Texas took charge the Lenape like the Alabama-Coushatta would welcome the new change peacefully. The Lenape would soon be appreciated in Texas as their people would often aid in settlement towards the west and were vital in the exploration of new lands in Texas. In fact for many decades Lenape scouts served alongside the Texas Rangers in keeping peace in the frontier and protecting settlers from hostile Indians. Benjamin McCulloh was even quoted as saying "I've fought many Indians over the years who I've always hated with a passion, the Lenape though have earned a place of respect for they are the true definition of a civilized man." Though the Lenapes numbers would gradually decrease over the years they are still beloved in Texas history and currently many reside within Lenape county outside the Houston area.
Wichita: The Wichita people are relatives to the Caddo who for years could be found within East Texas. They encompassed several tribes within the region including the Wichita, Keechi, Waco, Tavoyas, and Tawakoni. For many years the various Wichita tribes lived in peace on the frontier with their subsistence lifestyle and were so powerful that they received respect from the Comanche. In the latter part of the 18th century though the Wichita would come to find themselves under attack by disease and their numbers decreasing across the plains with increasing white expansion and conflicts with other tribes. This forced the Wichita to settle down in Texas where they made peace with the Spanish, overtime the grouping of the Wichita peoples together made them be known to outsiders as a single tribe of Wichita rather than a diverse group. The Wichita were willing to enter the ICI and established some settlements along the Brazos River and North Texas, the most famous of them being Wichita Falls, Texas.
View attachment 289159
Wichita Falls, Texas
Thanks to the unique position of Texas and the early peace movements by Houston, the Indians of Texas would overall find themselves in a better state compared to their American brethren. Unfortunately many Indian wars still raged on the frontier until the 1880's, though most of the Indian population were able to find a new home in Texas where they became civilized and were able to preserve their culture and territory within the Republic. The Indian Citizenship Initiative was so successful that even the American tribes of the Choctaw, Kiowani, and Chickasaw would want to migrate to Texas, with this movement being increased after the American Civil War. The Texan Indian has come to form a large role in the Southwestern identity of Texas with many Southwestern films depicting noble yet wild tribes of the frontier who were the first to settle the land. Today there are many Indian tribes and nations that can be found in Texas with each playing a prominent role in Southwestern culture as the Tejano or Southern groups.
A/N: This thread, IT'S ALIVE!!! Yeah everyone really sorry for not posting on Sunday like I promised, but writing this chapter was probably the hardest I've had to do and alot of IRL conflicts kept on getting in the way of me completing it. I'll try my best to get Chapters 23-25 completed on the weekend. By the way if anyone has any important non Texan/American events between 1836-1846 that they feel would change or be a good divergence in the TL please tell me and I'll see whether or not I shall include and change them before the 1846 Arc. Thanks once again for reading and loyally sticking around. Remember to comment down below and all input is welcome. Long live the Republic!
- Kaiser Chris
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