Apr 21 1836 to June 3 1836 - PTR, Vol. 6

Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Mexican Republic to the United States.

I have the honor to be, Your obedient servant, John Forsyth.

Hon. Lewis Cass, Secretary of War.

Memorandum for Mr. Gorostiza, of what was said to him by Mr. Forsyth, in their conference on the 20th of April, 1836. Mr. Forsyth stated to Mr. Gorostiza, that, in consequence of the contest in Texas, the movements of some citizens of the United States on the Red river, and apprehended hostile inten lions of the Indians in Mexico against the United States, and of the Indians within the United States against Mexico, orders would be given to General Gaines to take such a position with the troops of the United States as would enable him to preserve the territory of the United States and of Mexico from Indian outrage, and the territory of the United States from any violation by Mexicans, Texians, or Indians, during the disturbances unfortunately existing in that quarter, and that the troops of the United States would be ordered to protect the commissioners and surveyors of the two Governments, whenever they should meet to execute the instructions to be prepared under the treaty of limits between the United States and the United Mexican States. Should the troops, in the performance of their duty, be advanced beyond the point Mexico might suppose was within the territory of the United States, the occupation of the position was not to be taken as an indication of any hostile feeling, or of a desire to establish a possession or claim not justified by the treaty of limits. The occupation would be precautionary and provisional, and would be abandoned whenever (the line being run and the true limits marked) the disturbances in that region should cease, they being the only motive for it.