WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1834
281
with you so far as it may be at hasard or may require your at- tention my brother will depart in a few days in Schooner Climax for Galveston bay-I beg you will write to me particularly how Washington [is] and State all you may think interesting that you dare trust to J. Prentiss P. S. Can you inform me if Genl. M has any agency or secrets of the Government in or about Texas matters &- J.P. · [ Endorsed] : Copy to Genl. Saml. Houston Apl 9. 1834 1 James Prentiss Lette,·s, The University of Texas Library. 2 Jose Antonio Mexia was a Cuban and a Federalist. When Santa Anna, as the leader of the Federalists in Mexico, started a revolution in 1822 to overthrow the empire under Iturbide, he attracted the attention of all liberals in the other Spanish-American countries, and during the early days of 1823, when his cause seemed hopeless, many of those liberals came to his aid. One of those adventurers for the cause of liberalism was Mexia. During the years 1828-1832 he took a hand in many of the civil and indus- trial affairs of Mexico, among which there was one scheme to which he gave his best thought. Along with Lorenzo de Zavala and General John T. Mason, he became an active agent for the Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company. Mexia stood by his liberal principles when Santa Anna became a reactionary, and in 1835, cooperated with the Texans in the revolution against Mexico. In 1839 he was executed by Santa Anna's orders. HOUSTON AND ANDREW S. HUGHES TO LEWIS CASS 1 The undersigned have the honor to reply to the note of Gov. Cass, of the 6th Instant, on the subject of Mr. Abbays captivity among the Indians of the S. W. Prairies! From the best general information on the subject of the In- dians who roam those immense plains, we think it certain that Mr. Abbay was captured by the Pawnees of the plains. They are in the habit of constant warfare with the Osages, and regard all persons, who approach their country, from the East of the Red River, as enemies and are ready at all times, to steal their horses, or to make battle with them. The information of the Pawnees, in relation to the Indian Tribes, on Arkansas, as well as to the relations which those Tribes bear, to the U. States, is very imperfect, - aware however that they are in amity with the U. States, and that they derive supplies from them! Tl1is fact has doubtless, an influence in rendering those Indians hostile to the citizens of the U. States. It is conceded that the warriors of the Pawnees amount to at least three thousand in number!
Powered by FlippingBook