The undersigned cannot conclude . this communication, however, without remarking upon the novelty of the demand embraced in the note of Mr. Monasterio. It is, doubtless, well-known to the Mexican Government that, for more than twenty years past, the United States have maintained a chain of military posts throughout the whole extent of its Western and Northwestern frontier; and that the garrisons at these posts have been exchanged, augmented, or diminished, according to that policy which might be dictated by the exigency of the moment. It is equally well-known that Fort Jesup is the principal posl of the United States on the Western frontier, and that the force stationed at that point has never been less than a battalion-the numbers occasionally increased or lessened, as circumstances might require; and it seems strange, therefore, that the present movement-a military movement completely within the ordinary regulation of exchange of commands, so usual in our army, and examples of which may be found in the enclosed order, besides that which transfers the sixth infantry to Fort Jesup, should have created suspicions and alarm, and have elicited such an interrogatory from Mr. Monasterio to the undersigned. It may be added, that, as the movement of troops is wholly within our own territory, and the posts which they occupy equally within the territory and acknowledged jurisdiction of the United States of America, Mr. Monasterio must perceive, upon a moment's reaction, that he has propounded an interrogatory and made a demand upon the United Stales, in relation to a matter over which the United States acknowledge no supervision in any foreign Power. The undersigned, &c. A. Butler. To His Excellency Jose Maria Ortiz Monasterio, Chief Clerk in the Department of State of the M.U.S.
[2326] (GOODRICH to GOODRICH]
Washington Texas, 15th !\!larch, 1836
Dear Edmund,
Texas is in mourning, and it becomes my painful duty to inform my relations in Tennessee of the massacre of my. poor
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