PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR 377 thirdly, the advantages which I suppose will arrise from the course I recommende; and the disastrous results that may occur, from delay. Mexico is now in all probability engaged in a war with France, which (if it is so) will not be of long duration; There is also no doubt but that there is a revolution in the north eastern states, which if it lasts the usual time of a Mexican revolution may possibly end in six weeks; So the probability is that three months will see that country in a situation to prepare for renewing hostilities against us,- but suppose that she could not be in such an attitude for six or twelve months, it should I conceive mak no difference,- because we are as badly prepared as she can possibly be; she has wealth and men in the bosom of the country, that can be spared for war, and we are entirely destitute of the former, and not overstocked with the latter.- The Indians are at the present, our most active and dangerous enemy, they are divided into about thirty small tribes, who are almost an invisible enemy, who keep up a continued desultory warfare on our whole frontier, and for the last two years have revelled in blood, having taken upwards of four hundred scalps, almost without loss or retaliation, and it is even a doubt at this day which tribes are enemies or which are friends.- The object of these tribes is not to attack us with strong forces, their true policy is to· rob the frontier and masacre detached families and small parties.- The most conclusive testimony exists that they arc excited to action by l\fexico, and derive their confidence from our want of energy, and the hope of aid from that nation; treaties are of no avail; and the exhausted situation of the frontier makes it almost impossible to conduct a successful expedition against them.- It is my firm and decided opinion, that nothing will quiet the Indians so soon as the chastizement of Mexico.- having glanced slightly at the position of our enemies, I will 110w make some plain statements as to our own situation.- I hold that a military man should calmly calculate the actual strength of the country, as well as that of the enemy, as nothing tends so much to produce ruin and destruction as self deception, and I can never subscribe to the doctrine that it is ever safe to rely entirely on the imbecility of your opponent, this false reliance once nearly ruined Texas, and I fear may do so again, at least we may be driven to a desperate struggle for existence after throwing away the means of success.- If Mexico aided by the Indians e.ver attack Texas, I cannot see how we can make a successful defence, and for which I will give the following rea-sons. This country is divided into three seperate districts, and nearly equal settlements, One on Red River, other on the Sabine and Nechas and the other on the head of Galveston Bay-, and on the Brazos and and [sic] Colorado. rivers; each section has its separate frontier, and they are respectively divided from each other by a wilderness of from one to two hundred miles, inhabited by hostile Indians, whose position is such that they can threaten each section at the same time :-thus the moment hostilities commence neither section can go to the aid of the other, as each will dread that it may be
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