\\'IUTINGS OF SAM J-lOUSTON, 1836
Rio Grande, at any point above Matamoras, and if our army too~c possession of it, pass on to the east side of it, march down in the rear of our army, leaving it in a situation, which nothing but a miracle could retrieve it from. If our Army advances on Matamoras I shall certainly_consider its destruction as inevitable. From all the reports I have heard from the army, I am satisfied the Mexicans are laying a decoy, ~nd that Matamoras is the bate held out. Take my word for it that Matamoras has once been a bane to us, and if we possessed it, it would not requite us for the weari- some march of one day. How would you Command, water & provision at this season of the year. You know Mexicans have greater facilities in com- manding their supplies, than we have, and if they do not advance upon you, allow the difficulty of obtaining water to be one of the reasons. I have always abhored the thought of attacking Matamoras, for the 1·eason that no benefit could result to us from it. My letter of the 8th Inst has given you my views pretty much at length. The U. S. have been called in by both parties to mediate. An advance upon Matamoras, under these circumstances, unless it presented the most perfect assurances of success, I should think would be calculated to chagrin if not mortify the U. S. and be regarded by them as an act of agression. It seems to me that it would be giving the U. S. in return for their kind wishes, a declaration that we neither needed nor re- garded any mediation of theirs. It cannot be that the Army has nothing to do at home. The Colorado is swept of its inhabitants from the Frontier set- tlements, to Moseleys Cotton Gin. The inhabitants have fled to the Brazos. Had the Army taken post on the Navidad, it could easily by throwing out its Cavalry have given protection to the inhabitants and chastised the Indians It would have also been in a better situation to have given pro- tection to the Coast. What protection could it now render if a force were to be landed at any point East of Matagorda? Then I take it, it can render no aid in its present Condition to our Western borders, or to our Coast.
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