TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1844-1845
426
No. 390 LETTER FROM JUAN FERNANDEZ TO ANSON JONES [TRANSLATION FROM THE SPANISH]
Black Lake Dec. 13, 1845
To his Exy. the President of Texas
Respected Sir
I left your Capital on the first day of this month for Bexar, the Ioni and Caddo Indians overtook me on the same day, we proceeded in company to Independence where we all encamped on that night. During the night they invited me to join them in an attack they intended to make upon the Tawakoni, stating that they had orders from the gov- ernment for that purpose, but this it seems was not t".neir in- tention-for having arrived at a place up the Brazos, they joined with the Tawakoni meeting them as friends as well as all the other tribes, who in conjunction intend to take the Trading House and thence proceed down the Brazos stealing and killing all they find. Their brave plan is to carry on a vigorous hostil- ities with the Texians. The object of the Indians who came down to Washington ostensibly to trade was not so much with that view but to inform themselves of the numbers and sit- uation of the inhabitants, they have ascertained that-they are quite off their guard, and this has animated them to carry out this plan of warfare-God knows what they have thought of my coming with them, as soon as I ascertained these facts I tried to get off as soon as they halted and this I at least affected. The Indians were under the impression that I would join them, but the Simpletons were very much deceived. I was only await- ing a chance to come away and give the news. I know from their own lips that they were about to complete the number of Five Thousand men to effect this undertaking. I lay this before your Excellency for such purposes as may be etc. etc. and without any thing further of intent, I have the honor to be etc. . . [Signed] J FERNANDEZ
Powered by FlippingBook