(4163) [BASQUES DEPOSITIONJ Parish of Natchitoches, September 7, 1836
This day personally appeared before me, the undersiuned, 0 JUSLice of the peace in and for the said county or parish, Juan Franciso Basques, who, being of lawful age, deposelh and saith, Lhat, on or abouL Lhe 23d of August last, he went to the L-o-ny village; and Indian woman Lold him Lo wail a few days, and he would see a Mexican "big-man." Afterwards some of the men were drinking, and Lold him LhaL Lhis Mexican "big-man" was coming to persuade the Indians to stand against the Americans, and told he to keep iL secret. The same day, "Fox," a Cherokee, and a good interpreter, and "Etoi," also a Cherokee, rode up and said Lhe were jusL from Matamoras. They both had on Mexican dresses, and "Fox" had a sword and short gun; "ELoi" had a sword. They said Lheir company was corning on. Basques remained al the village until Lhe 28th of August, on which day Eusavia Cortinez, a Mexican by birth, and formerly for many years a resident of Nacogdoches, came Lo Lhe village; he had five Mexicans with him ; he said he was jusl from Matamoras. Cortinez immediately inquired of Basques if the Mexicans of Nacogdoches were friendly lo the Mexicans. On being told they were, he said he was very glad lo hear it. He said he had been wanting to make an attack on Nacogdoches for a long time; that aU the Indians were to meet al Bowles's Lown the next day, when they would fix the lime for making the attack; that they had no time to spare. Cortinez inquired whaL force was al Nacogdoches. When told 400 or 500 men, he said he did not believe it; but thal it would not be a mouthful for the force he would bring. Cortinez wanted him (Basques) to go to the Lown; and the last thing he said al parting was, "Be sure lo be al Bowles's lo-morrow." He said, also, he would probably send him (Basques) lo go to talk lo the Camanches. Thal he, (Basques,) apprehending he would be made a prisoner, took an opportunity to escape that night. Juan Francisco Basques. Juan Francisco Basques further slates, that some time in • • the first of J unc last, he mel a Caddo Indian on the other side of the Sabine river; he had a mule loaded with powder and lead, and going to the Towaeanee village, and there he expected lo trade his
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