Mar 6 1836 to Apr 20 1836 - PTR, Vol. 5

Lot~isiana, had been endeavoring, with other suspicious persons, lo exc1 ~e the C_addocs Lo acls of hostility, on the part of the Mexicans, agamsl lhe Texians. But some of these Indians disavow any intention to comply with the lawless wishes of these incendiary agents of Mexico. I shall send an officer lo Bowles, as well as lo the commanders of the i\'lexiean and Texian forces, calling their attention lo the treaty and to their respective duties in reference to inhabitants on both sides of the unmarked line, as soon as I can obtain horses for a small guard to accompany and protect him. This aspect of the subject may induce a belief that I may now with propriety suspend my measures of the 8th of this month for obtaining additional force. This, however, I am convinced, can be the opinion only of those who have not taken a full view of all the various bearings and tendencies of the subject. Manuel Flores and his companies are known to be zealous and efficient instruments of operating on the minds of the Indians and preparing them for mischief. These agents, though represented by the hesitating part of the Caddoes to be on a hunt with their brethren on the prairies, are more likely to be engaged in their more important vocation with other and more numerous tribes on the upper branches of the Red river; from whence prudence would seem lo suggest the Camanches and other tribes by whom our traders have been annoyed, that these agents may, in a few days, lead from the upper villages on the Red river to the selllemenls on the west and northwest waters of the Sabine or Neches river lo co-operate with Bowles's Cherokees, now ready for action. It is very desirable, therefore, that the mounted men should be here as soon as practicable after the Isl of May, as in that month the grass will be sufficient, with a very moderate supply of corn, to sustain the horses; and in that and the following month the weather and waler will be more favorable lo the health of the troops, and the enemy will be more assailable than at any other lime of the year. Besides, the earliest possible concentration of this force will enable me, if hostilities shall have continued, to save a great part of the setllemenls that would otherwise be cut off; or, should hostilities be suspended until the concentration of this force, the fact of its concentration being known lo the assailants, may awe them into a pacific course of measures.

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