reason. If Lhey don't join us, we will do wilhout Lhem. They don'l know yel what we intend lo do-we have kcpl them in ignorance unlil we can perceive Lhal they are on our side, and ,ve shall know thal very soon. The Americans also know nolhing of our arrangements; Lhe first they hear of il will give them pain.' "He (Bowles) proposed to me to buy a small stock of goods, and come and see him three clays after the council should be over, when he would accompany me to Lhe Trinity river, and see the great Indian camp, when I could judge for myself. He said there were 4,000 Indians there; but I thoughl this an exaggeration. He also asked me if any stores were to be sent to the Sabine; on my replying that I did not know, he said that he would be very glad if there were, as they would be so much in his hand. it did not appear to me that he conceived any great impression of danger by the presence of the United States troops in Nacogdoches, though he inquired the reason of their coming. On my telling him that it was supposed that the United Stales claimed the country as far as the Neigo, he said: 'Just like the Americans, always stealing piece by piece.' He then reverted to his hatred of the Americans, and how they hated him also; that he never went outside of his premises. He had, he said, been well informed thal the Americans wished lo kill him; but that he always had his arms ready (showing them to me) to defend himself to the last if the Americans attempted lo take him." It is unnecessary for me to add here, that I gave full credence to the foregoing communication. The man is respeclable, and engaged by myself as a secret agent to ascertain the true feelings of the Indians towards us, and the above is the result of his labor.
M. B. Menard, lncian Agent.
Nacogdoches, August 9, 1836.
(3936] [RUSK to HOUSTON]
Head Quarters Colito 9th August 1836 Dear General Since writing you before, the army has been gradually increasing and with what are now in Camp and on the way will amount to about Two Thousand men, the only difficulty we have is supplies which are rather scarce.
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