Comanche Exceptionalism

Caption: Ryan Cox, Chris Riggins, Julie Landis, and Mirri Glasson-Darling run into a Comanche warrior on the great plains while reading The Comanche Empire.

Thesis:
Comanche exceptionalism is evident by their sphere of influence and their ability to adapt to ever changing circumstances that led to their domination of their geographical area and all those residing in it.
The Comanche language was becoming the dominant language of the plains and the Comanche were able to do most of their trading and diplomatic talks in their own language.
"So too does the ascendancy of the Comanche language denote a larger truth: having yielded unparalleled economic, political, and cultural influence, the Comanches were re-creating the midcontinent in their own image." pg 171

Spaniards had been trying for some time to become an ally of the Comanche, but all that resulted was a one way relationship. Comanche had worked out a situation in which they received giftings regularly, or else they would raid and take what they wanted.
"What Comanches did not do was reciprocate Spain's generosity. Their recompense was the absense of violence...The peace lasted only as long as gift distributions did." pg 184
"...Comanches would step up and cut back riading in the province inn line with the availability of gifts. Under the ever-present possibility of violence, offerings of diplomatic presents became fixed tribute payments to protect the exposed colony[Texas]." pg 184


"In June 1825, a party of 330 Comanche men, women, and children rode into the capital[San Antonia] and leisurely looted the town for six days." pg. 196
There was absolutely no resistance in this case. The Comanche had the ability to loot and raid without opposition.