For my own part, I never will consent that General Gaines should occupy a foot of the territory which is now Mexican; and should the case occur before I receive instructions from you, I will protest personally, and will retire, leaving the ordinary legation here, until the Government may have decided as lo the course which that legation is lo pursue. I may be mistaken, but my opinion is, that if we allow the American troops to enter our territory as neutrals, we shall soon or late lose Texas, and that, too, without saving our honor; whereas, if we do not suffer this, we may perhaps preserve Texas, and we shall, at all events, secure the reputation of our country. · M. E. Gorostiza. To the Chief Officer charged with the direction of the Department of Relations of the Mexican Republic. [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 intentions 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 the Mexicans, Texans, 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 Stales, 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
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