believe; now they would plant their corn, hunt, and live as usual. I then returned to the first village, where I found another very intelligent Indian, part Spaniard, who informed me that "Manuel Flores" had passed through the village in company with another Spaniard, a short thick, middle-aged man, who formerly resided in Nacogdoches, whose name (I have since learned) was "Cortinez." This Indian said that there were three Spaniards in the prairies with the Caddoes, and had it not been for the lies that "Manuel Flores" had·told them they would have returned to their villages long before this time, and have planted their corn. The Caddo chief did not credit what Manuel Flores had told them; they had sent in three nmners from the prairies to learn the truth; they had returned some days before, well satisfied that Manuel Flores had told lies. Manuel Flores told the chiefs onthe prairies that long before their runners could arrive at the villages the Americans would have killed all of their nation left there, men, women, and children. This Indian also said that it was true that Manuel Flores wanted the Caddocs to join him, and go to fight the whites in Texas; they said no; that the Americans (whites) were the same on both sides of the river, (Sabine) and should they kill or plunder those in Texas the Americans (whites) on this side would kill them. Not succeeding in this, Manuel Flores wanted Len or twelve of their warriors to go with him to Nacogdoches to have a talk with some Spanish chiefs; they said no, that if he wanted to talk he might go and talk himself. Not being able to prevail upon the Caddoes to go with him he went with them, and is said to be hunting on the praries with them at this time. This Manuel Flores passed himself off for a Mexican officer, and said he was sent by the Mexican Government to get the Caddoes to go and fight the whites in Texas. Manuel Flores was formerly a trader among the Caddoes; he held a lieutenant's commission in a militia company a few miles distant from Fort Jesup, Louisiana. I left the nation, on my return, upon the 15th instant. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, J. Bonnell, First Lieutenant,
3d infantry
To Major General E. P. Gaines
508
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