1562
A1\rERICAN HISTORICAL A~OC!ATION.
against the said Superior authorty, I can assure you, it has not been the intention of the Govt to neglect you in the slightest degree, and that they will listen with paternal love to any solicitations you may think proper to make, and will grant such as are not in oppo- sition to tho law. I am informed that in Mexico you were told to visit the State of Coahuila and Texas and select the lands that pleased you for your settlement and. apply for them immediately. If you have not se- . lected them, and not asked for them, it is not the fault of the Gov- ernment that you are not now in possession of them: Notwith- st.anding you peacibly and tranquilly occupy lands of the Nation. If you have since appointed other persons to represent your affairs in Mexico; and have not received the satisfaction you expected it has no doubt arisen in consequence of your agents not carrying the necessary credentials, and consequently the Supreme Government doubted whether you really had 'sent them. Prudence and judgment which adorn you, imperiously requires that in a matter of so delicate a nature the utmost circumspection should be used. A precipitate commencement of hostilities will produce evils of the greatest magnitude. The Arms of the Republic of Mexico which protect the Department of Texas and which I have the honor of commanding must not be stained by the blood of •my fellow citizens the Cherokees, nor with that of the other nations with whom they are united. • Our common enemy is on the other side of the Ocean. • The party of Americans who in Nacogdoches have attacked the Mexican Authorities will doubtless interest themselves to compromit you, for having committed an error, they will follow it up by others still greater, but you are not in that situation, and I therefore desire that you should come in person to the Trinity River at the Crossing of the main road near the Lomo de Torro, or to this Town where I am detained by bad weather, in order that we may have an inter- view and a discussion of this subject between the Chief of the De- partment of Texas, Jose Antonio Saucedo, Mr. Stephen F Austin, yourself and myself and come to such an understanding as the common interest may require, and I feel no hesitation in assuring you that the result will not be disagreeable to you. I therefore hope that you will immediately inform me in answer to this, your feelings on the subject with the understanding that the Republic of Mexico has no cause whatever to declare War against the Cherokees or other tribes with whom they are united. I have expressed myself to you with the frankness that character- izes me and I expect the Answer of a. man of honor, and presenting
Powered by FlippingBook