·J I I
[2527] [HUSTON to -----]
[A. Huston, Brazoria, to -----, April 1, 1836, about s~nding the Twin Sisters cannon to Galveston Island on board the schooner Pennsylvania, and ordering the removal of all stores and munitions from Coxe's Point, Matagorda, Velasco, Bell's Landing, and Columbia to the eastern end of Galveston Island.] [2528] [LEA to HOUSTON] [William Lea, Eaton, Tennessee, to Sam Houston, April 1, 1836, introducing George C. Hatch of Dyersburg, and stating "I expect to see your country next fall."] [2529) [MASON to GAINES] Nacogdoches, April 1, 1836. Dear Sir: Finding the inhabitants of this section of country under considerable apprehensions from the Indians, and having no other protection from their depredations except that which may be found in the troops under your command, they have thought it advisable to depute to you a special messenger on the occasion; and at their request I address you this letter. It is generally conceded that the United States are bound by treaty lo afford this protection; but a higher motive is found in the security of their own frontier, which will be equally exposed to ravages should Indian hostilities once commence. The discontented tribes on the frontiers of Arkansas and Missouri would delight to enter into war, and want no better pretext than that it had been commenced here by their brethren. But the case is stronger, in the claim which it presents for the protection of the United States, when it is known that all the Indians from whom danger is apprehended are tribes from the United States, and some recently removed to Texas, in consequence of a sale of their lands to the United States. Indeed motives sufficient might be found for your action in the general and all commanding principles of humanity. But relying on your disposition to extend this
288
Powered by FlippingBook