[2755) [CARSON lo BURNET]
Natchitoches 14th April 1836.
To His Excellency David G. Burnet President and the Cabinet of the Republic of Texas Gentlemen
On my arrival here last night I met with Genl Gains and have had with him a full and satisfactory conversation. His position at present is a delicate one and requires at his hands the most cautious movements. The object of the concentration of forces al Jessup is to protect the frontier and the Neuteral Ground also to keep the Indians in check and repress savage agressions. This he is bound to do in fullfilmen·t of treaty stipulations between the Govt of the U States and Mexico An Express arrived here at 2 Oclk A M last night directed to Genl Gaines advising him of the concentration of from 1500 lo 2000-lndians and a conjunction of their forces with about one thousand l\founted Mexicans. This is the detachment no doubt, which Jo. (Colo Travis servant) spoke of as having left San Antonio and which took the Bastrop road. There is no doubt of this information being correct. On Sunday night last (10th inst.) they camped about 60 Miles from Nacogdoches and 30 North of the road leading from that place to Trinity. The Gentleman who brought the Express says there is at least 300-Families west of Nacogdoches which will in alJ probability fall into the hands of the enemy. Numbers have I feare been slaughtered before this Gen) Gaines immediately on rect. of the Express issued an order to prepare thirteen companies to March this evening to Sabean with two field peaces with 75 rounds for each and 35 rounds for the Infantry-also 12 days provisions etc. I herewith send you a copy of his requisition upon the Govr of Louisiana to furnish a Brigade of Mounted Volunteers. A similar request has been made to the Govrs. of Tenns Missis. and Alabama, requiring however only a Batallion of the latter in consequence of the Florida War. He will have in a few days (say 20 lo 30) from 7 lo 8000 men with him. You will perceive that we cannot use Indian auxiliaries unless in self defence. The Treaty referred lo requires the U Stales to put such conduct down. This
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