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

Manuel the interpreter. Genl. T .... is a fine figure six feel two & a half or three inches tall. A man of appearan1 phisical powers, he is a little bronzer, but appearantly more the affects of the sun than of nature he was courteous in explaining every thing which I might inquire after. I think he told me his wife was a native of America. his son Manuel was educated in the City of New York I having visited the City I found it quite a subject of conversation. I was told by their commander not to put myself under any restrant for I was welcome to all the privileges of the Camp, I was presented with the best article of cigars, that I ever have seen, some which were taken, I presume, from some texian deserted slore.-My attention was now deverted from the subject of conversation, by the sound of music-The General observing this: invited me to walk when we would have a better opportunity of listening to the bancl.-The music was good; it-was the largest and most accomplished_band of l\'lartial Music that I ever witnessed.-the Division was on parade,: they were drilled by Battalion. They drill handsomely, perform their evolutions with great precision, but much after the old. English style, they shoulder arms, something like a weary Hunter carries his gun, carelessly thrown across his shoulder, a position which in not as uniform, nor handsome-but the difference felt by the performer more than preponderates the difference in beauty- (Ease forever in an army of operations-We remained but a few minutes and returned to Head quarters-The subject of my mission was again intToduced.-He Filisola slated, that he would comply with the Most of the requisitions, contained in Genl. Rusk's letter-some he could not,-others he was constitutionally forbid to do, the constitutional prohibition act was that of foreing the negroes to return with Me to their Masters-should he do this, he would purge himself-In taking the oath of allegiance he swore not to support any act of slavery, but said if the negroes should choose to return with me, he would throw no impediment in the way- but tho't the better plan would be, to let them remain, untill I might return lo the Tcxian camp-I could then inform their masters of their situation, and he presumed no difficulty would originate, as he would deliver the slaves to their proper owners. He also had in his possession fifteen hundred head of cattle belonging to the citizens of Texas. which he could not deliver, as it became requisite lhatthe Army retain them He had no other source of supplying the army with provisions-However slated to me that he would pay me ten dollars per Head, for the cattle-which he then held in his possession, hut in obedience to my instructions, J was positively restricted from so doing- in this restriction, considered $] !>000-

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