r2699J LRUSK to BURNET)
Head Quarters Army West of Brazos 10th April 1836
Dear Sir
Mr. Powell will accompany the young man who bears this communication. Mr. Powell is a Gentleman I do not know, he is direct from the interior and the fact of his passing through the Country at the present time, when the Mexicans are so much excited, is a sufficient cause, aside from others, to subject his conduct and intentions to a strict scrutiny by the people and particularly the authorities of the country. He arrived in Camp with a strange story and one calculated to produce much excitement and confusion in the minds of the people; he stated, amongst other things, that Genl. Cos had passed on the upper rout to Nacogdoches with, first, 1000, and then six hundred men &c. I have all the information from that quarter. Genl. Houston has been increasingly vigilant night and day and has, constantly, faithful spies in that direction who keep him constantly advised of all movements and so confident am I on the subject, that I would place my head as the forfeit that there is no Mexican force in that direction. Mr. Powell also states that Santa Anna is here; of the incorrectness of this Statement I am equally clear as Santa Anna has, beyond doubt gone to Matamoras by way of Copano. He proposed to pass down through the Mexican Camp and go on to Fort Bend. As I before stated I know nothing of Mr. Powell, but had much rather dispense with his sen 1 ices from my present convictions, than risk the consequences, and in this opinion the Commander in Chief concurs also, as all as many men in the Army. I hop·e you will in this matter proceed with great deliberation and caution; while I would have a regard for individual rights, on the one hand, I would look, with great jealousy to the public safety on the other hand. This communication is intended for your view alone and a strictly private one.
I am with great respect Your Obedient Servant -Thos. G. Rusk Sec'y of War
· [To David G. Burnet)
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