MICHAEL BOYETT BRONZES
          Fine Art                 
Bronze Sculptures ~ Oil Paintings
Original ~ Limited Editions
"Classics of Tomorrow . . . Today"
"The Treaty ~ Men of Honor"
General Sam Houston and Cherokee Chief Bowles
The date was February 23, 1836, and the situation for Texas was desperate.
Santa Anna, with about 6,000 troops, was on the march towards the Alamo
with the intent of smashing the small, poorly-organized, and ill-equipped army
of Texans along with their fledgling government. Fearing an alliance between
Mexico and the Indian tribes, the Texas government sent its envoys to meet
with the East Texas tribes, hoping to negotiate a treaty designed to keep
them from fighting on the side of Mexico and remaining neutral.

Nacogdoches residents, Sam Houston, Adolphus Sterne, and William
Goyens, represented Texas in the negotiations, with Chief Bowles
representing the Native American tribes. When the time came to sign the
treaty, General Houston and John Forbes represented Texas, and Bowles,
Cherokee Chief, spoke for the 12 Indian tribes.

Sam Houston and Chief Bowles were longtime friends and highly respected
by one another and their peoples as leaders and men of integrity. Houston
had become a member of the Cherokee nation, and many years before was
given the title "The Raven", meaning "good luck". These men were warrior
leaders who had proved their courage on the battlefield. Houston was the
newly-commissioned commander of the army of Texas and Bowles, though
over 80 years of age, was war chief of not only the Cherokees, but also the
other 12 tribes represented.

During the negotiations, Houston presented gifts to Bowles, including a sash,
sword, red silk vest, and long dress-shirt, which the chief wore proudly at the
signing. The document, which was signed on the back page, was decorated
with bright ribbons, and each chief made his "X" in its appropriate places.

Though not to endure, the treaty proved a valuable and timely article to
Texas' struggle for independence, since it assured the neutrality of the
Indians and allowed the Texans to concentrate their efforts against
Santa Anna.

Text from the Plaque at the historical site erected by
Historic Nacogdoches, Inc.
June 7, 2003