Mr. Gorostiza to his country will shield him from the effects of any injurious misconception. The Secretary of State embraces this oppolunity to offer Mr. Gorostiza renewed assurances of his most distinguished consideration. John Forsyth, [2706 J fHOFFMAN ET AL to MASON) Nacogdoches, April 11, 1836 Sir: The necessities of the country require that we depart from the forms of regular authority under an organized Government. The emergency of the moment will not admit of delays. We are pressed by a savage enemy, and the community must rise pp in their own defence. There is no organization of the physical force of this municipality, and we are without a head. The people, therefore, have assumed powers which belong to them, and seek immediate relief from the evils which threaten them; they have asked your services as military commandant of this district, and we are gratified that you have consented to use your best exertions in our aid under the present extremity; and they have appointed you to that office. You are aware that our ability to defend this section of country against a horde of savages is too feeble to hope a rescue of the families that are exposed to their ravages, without assistance from the United States. At this moment, there are five hundred families between this and the west bank of the Trinity; and, unless relief is immediately afforded, they must fall under the blow of the tomahawk. You have heard the statements of our most respectable citizens, deputed to learn the extent of our danger, and we furnish you with their deposition. We have anticipated the hostility of the Indian tribes, and have appealed to the commandant of Fort Jesup for assistance. We predicated our appeal upon the ground of treaty stipulations, which the war in Texas cannot change, because they imbody the principles of humanity, which must always be maintained among neighboring communities. If the motive of safety to our border brethern would be a stimulus to afford us relief, it is clearly seen in the threatened attack upon us. But we hope that higher views govern the councils of a nation from which
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