|
Head Quarters West Department
Camp East of the Sabine Waters
April 25, 1836
(Copy)
General
The undersigned Major General, Commanding the United States Western Department, having
been ordered by the President of the United States, to the Western frontier of the State of
Louisiana, for the purpose of restraining the indians residing within our limits from
crossing the unmarked Line between the United States and Mexico and from committing
depredations upon the Inhabitants on the Mexican or Texas side of the unmarked Line; and for
the purpose of maintaining the neutrality of the United States during the disturbances which
unhappily exist among our western neighbours of Mexico and Texas being desirous to correct
error and obviate misconception in reference to the objects of his late and intended
movement has deemed it proper to authorise Major C. A. Hitchcock Acting Inspector General,
the bearer hereof to repair to the interior of Texas accompanied by Surgeon Findlay and
Lieut. Griffin, with a Small Escort of mounted men bearing a Flag to see and confer with
the commanders of the Mexican and Texan forces in that quarter; to each one of whom he will
freely communicate the powers, views and purposes of the undersigned, particularly guarding
the said Commanders against any movement in arms across the Sabine Bay or any of the
principal water courses Emptying into the Bay; or across the country lying North thereof and
between the Said waters and the Red river near Fort Towson or across any other part of the
said unmarked or Supposed Boundary line between the United States and Mexico, and more
especially guarding the Said Commanders against the employment by Either of them, of any of
the Indians belonging to or usually resident with the nations or tribes residing on the U.
States side of the above mentioned National Boundary Line; and he will distinctly Say to
them should any such Indian Warriors be found in hostility against the Inhabitants residing
upon Either side of the said unmarked boundary line that the undersigned will not hesitate
to use the force confided to his command to inflict on the Indians as well as those who may
be found acting with, and aiding them, such summary punishment as shall afford to the Said
frontier inhabitants that protection and security against the cruelties of Savage War, which
the Laws of War and of civilised nations warrant, and which is Expressly provided for in
the 33d. Article of the Treaty between the United States of America and Mexico.
I have the honor to be &c. &c.
Edmund P. Gaines
2d May P. S. Since writing my letter of which the foregoing is a copy, I have heard rumors
of a battle in Texas which suggest the propriety of the remarks which follow.
Should the fortunes of war place you in a situation requiring or rendering desirable the
humane Offices of a friendly neighbour, I will take great pleasure in Extending to you, any
act of kindness in my power not incompatible with the laws governing the Conduct of Neutrals
E. P. G.
To the Commander in chief of the Army of Mexico operating against Texas.
[Docket]
No 4
Major General Gaines
To
The General in chief of
the Mexican Army operating in Texas
25 Aprl. 1836
--------
a similar letter was at
the same time written
to General Houston
--------
Source:
The original letter is the property
of the Tennessee State Library and
Archives, 403 Seventh Avenue North,
Nashville, TN 37243-0312. 615-741-2764.
|
|
