letler from Captain Dea11, of the 3d i11fontry. The Cherokees and Caddoes, with some other tribes, are no doubt disposed lo keep up appearances of a pacific disposition towards the people of the disputed territory under the depressed circumstances of their Western friends, by whose agen ls these Indians have been operated on and excited to a spirit of hostility against these inhabitants, until a more favorable change occurs in the affairs of those pre- tended friends. I am convinced that no one in this quarter, acquainted with the subject, doubts that the movement of the United States troops to this place and Fort Towson, followed by the late extra- ordinary change of affairs in Texas, has saved the whole of this section of the frontier from an Indian was-fomented by those who were bound by treaty with us to employ force, if necessary, lo restrain the Indians from committing acts of hostility. I find that the reports, lo which the capture of the President Santa Anna gave rise, that the independence of Texas would be immediately acknowledged by Lhe Mexican Government, are not now so confi- dently credited as they were when I last addressed you. The In- dians may, therefore, again be required to act against the inhabi- tants residing in the disputed Lerrilory. In this apprehension, I cannot but feel some self-reproach that I should so hastily have suspended the movement and ordered the discharge of the Tennessee volunteers; being now convinced that they should have been retained in service until every diff- iculty among the Indians and their allies and their opponents had been permanently settled. This painful feeling would be greatly heightened by any disaster which might possibly result from the absence of such an additional force; for although I have on the whole frontier south of the Arkansas river about sixteen hundred regular troops, mostly infantry, yet it will be recollected that this force has to guard an extenl of four hundred miles of frontier, unsupported by any other than very sparse settlements; and that the chivalry of Mexico may he expected Lo fly Lo the rescue of their President, and reinstate his red allies, and inspire them with a spirit of revenge against those recenlly screened from their bar. barism. Under these impressions, 1 have deemed it proper Lo re- quest Governor Cannon Lo authorize the brigade of Tennessee volunteers, enrolled under his proclamation of the 28th of April
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