TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1825-1843
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the summons to the defence of the country, and such a company can be 1·aised in a very short notice. The party that pursued the Cherokee reetook 3 head and found the ballance in the nation, but the indians were to strong for them and refused to surrender the horses, they went to the agent, and he promised to try to recover the property of our citizens. Yours Respectfully MARK R. ROBERTS State Capt of Rangers [Enclorsccl] I certify that this is a true copy of the Letter as filed in the archives of the Depa11ment Charles Mason Act Secy of War No. 34 LETTER TO CHIEF BOWLES OF THE CHEROKEE FROM M. B. LAMAR [Only a portion of the following letter can be located in the In- dian Papers, and the full text has been taken from Charles A. Gulick, Jr. and others (eds.), The Papers of Mirabea.u B'UO'n.a- parte Lamar (6 vols.; Austin, 1921-1928), II, 690-594.] A Letter to Bowles, the principal Chief of the Cherokee and other Head-men of that tribe May 26th. 1839 To Col. Bowles, and other Head men of the Cherokee: I have learned with much surprise, that you have ordered Major Waters from the great Saline. In this, you have com- mitted an error. That officer was acting under the authority and orders of this Government, and any attempt on your part, either by force or threats, to impede the execution of his duty, cannot be regarded by the Executive in any other light than as an outrage upon the sovereignty of the Nation. You and your People have been deceived by evil counsellors. The forked tongue of the Mexicans has beguiled you; and you are running into dangerous paths, contrived by the enemies of Texas, for our injury and your ruin. Be wise then in season. Abandon your wicked and impotent advisers, and listen to the voice of reason and of power.
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