In the mid-19th century, thousands of Germans left their homeland to come to Texas in search of freedom and prosperity. At the same time, the Comanche were expanding their influence while the U.S. and Mexico were at war…
Map of the fisher-miller Land grant
In May of 1847, John O. Meusebach faces a looming deadline: before leaving his post in two months, he must establish the first German settlements between the Llano and Colorado river in the so called Fisher-Miller Land Grant. If he does not, his employer, the Society of Noblemen (Adelsverein), loses its contractual rights to the area. What Fisher and Miller failed to mention when negotiating the contract with the Adelsverein, was that this area is inside the Comancheria — the hunting grounds of the Penateka Comanche band. Needless to say, Fisher and Miller also failed to inform the Comanche that they were selling tribal land to European settlers.
Santa Anna, a Penateka Chief of the Comanche tribe, has just recently returned from an eye-opening trip to Washington DC. Having seen the more established city, he recognizes the very real possibility that these German settlers represent the vanguard of the Comanche Nation’s doom. He returns convinced that negotiating a peaceful coexistence with the German settlers is the best way to ensure the survival of his people. Kateumsi, another Comanche chief, agrees that the settlers pose a threat but would prefer to see them driven from his homeland for good. He is not willing to sign another treaty - yet another one, that would likely be broken in only a few years time…
Historical texts for preparation will be made available, here, before the next session.
