became President of Texas in November. 1836, but notwith-
standing all his efforts in behalf of the Cherokee, the treaty was
rejected by the Texas senate in secret session on December It',. 1837
Texas having in the meantime achieved victorious independence was
now in position to repudiate her engagements with the Indians, which
she did. not only with the Cherokee, but with the Comanche and
other wild tribes, wdiich had been induced to remain neutral during
the struggle on assurance of being secured in possession of their
lands.
In the meantime President Houston was unremitting in his effort to
secure the ratification of the Cherokee treaty, but without success.
On the other hand the Cherokee were accused of various depreda-
tions, and it was asserted that they had entered into an agreement with
i Thrall, Texas, p. 46, 1879. ; Ibid.,eastern Texas, including the ( Iherokee and their twelve confederated
bands and some others, were estimated at L,800 warriors, or perhaps
8,1 persons/'
A small force of troops sent to take possession of the salt springs in
the Indian country at the head of the Neches was notified by Bowl
that such action would be resisted. The Indians were then informed
that they musl prepare to leave the country in the fall, bul thai they
would be paid for the impi-ovements abandoned. In the meantime
the neighboring Mexicans made an effort to free themselves from
Texan rule and sent overtures to the Indians to make common cause
with them. This being discovered, the crisis was prei ipitated, and a
commission consisting of General Albert Sidney Johnston (secretary
of war of the republic), Vice-President Burnet, and some other
officials, backed up by