1316
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
cnmpa1gn. I have sent an express to the Cherokees to induce them to join ns in the contemplated nttack. The disposition recently evinced by these Indians causes me to believe that they will take the field against our enemies, if the. government orders them to do so; but, reflecting that I hnd no time to apply for your orders to that effect, I took it upon myself to invite them to assist me in the war. I wish to know, with as little delny as possible, if you approve this measure, or not; if you reply in the affirmative, I shall send word to the Cherokee chiefs to join us. I think it will not be difficult to obtain 100 or 150 volunteers of the Militia of the Trinity and Nacogdoches, if the government will give me instructions to that effect, at the same time issuing corresponding orders to the Alcalde of Nacogdoches, and to the commnnding officer of the :Militia of those districts. From information I have received of the disposi- tion of the Cushate and Alabama Indians on the Trinity I think we may obtain their assistance, but it would be necessary to show them a letter from you and the Political Chief of the Department. With these resources at my command, I could entertain well founded hopes of being able to answer for the protection of this frontier, and to finally dispose of those Indian settlements in one campaign. I shall wait anxiously for your answer in relation to the determina- tion I have come to to call on the Cherokees, and respecting my •proposition relative to the Militia of Nacogdoches and the Trinity, and the Cushates and Al:tbamas; so that I shall not be delayed in maturing the plan of the campaign, and the organization of small ranging parties to cover this frontier as soon as the first blow is struck. God and Libe1ty. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN. San Felipe de Austin, April 30 th 1826. [Answer] 1 C. P. de T. Tengo a la visita los oficios de V. de 30 Ab' y 8 del corriente rela- ti vos a Ins disposiciones q. V ha meditado tomar contra los Tn.hua- canos, y en contestacion devo decirle q. el Gefe Politico del Depar- tamt 0 da orden en este dia al Alcalde de Nacogdoches, au:xilie a V. con Jos Milicianos p 11 el citado proyecto, quando v los pida, q. en mi con- cepto no hay necesidad de q 1 nos valgamos p& este fin de los Yndios Cheroquies, y otros de paz q. V propone, porq. conviene crean siempre todos los Yndios, q. no los necesitamos p& nada, y q. les aventajamos en Ia guerra, q. p"' el logro de esta empresa solo me detiene un oficial q. se halla en Tamaulipas comisionado a comprar 900 caballos q. , .Attached to the orlglnal of Austin to Ahumada, April 30, 1826, in Bexo.r .Archives.
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