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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, l8 1 t2
106
touching the subject of frontier defence, to say, that no regular force has yet been established; and for the want of means, it has been impossible to sustain any efficient force but for a few days, when emergency has called out men. An order was given to Captain Ephraim McLean/ to raise and keep a spy company west of the San Antonio river; but, for the want of means, the order was not executed. The volunteers from the United States were posted at the most eligible point on the frontiers, as recent events have demon- strated by the attack made upon the force under command of Colonel Davis,3 in which the Mexicans were gallantly repulsed by less than one third of their number. Major Hays·' of Bexar, and Captain Menchaca,° have received orders to raise men and act between the San Antonio river and the Rio Grande. Commissioners have been sent to treat with all the hostile tribes of Indians on our borders. That they are disposed to make peace, may be seen from the communication of the agent herewith transmitted. 0 A trading house, for the purpose of trade with the Indians, will be erected on the Brazos without any expense to the government. It is in contemplation by the Executive, to promptly adopt such measures as will send the enemy across the Rio Grande, with such admonitions as will prevent a renewal of their visits within the bounds of Texas, with any views of molestation or annoyance to our citizens. In the accomplishment of this object, the Presi- dent will be compelled to rely upon the patriotism of his fellow- citizens, and the employment of individual means. Sam Houston. 1 Congi·essional Papers, Sixth Congress; also Executive Record Book, No. 40, p. 121, Texas State Library. Telegmph a11d Texas Registe,·, August 10, 1842. These copies are all identical in wording, but differ somewhat in paragraph division. ~Ephriam McLain. See Houston to Captain Ephraim McLain (also spelled McLein, and McLean), May 5, 1842. 3 See Houston to James Davis, May 5, 1842. 4 John Calfee Hays ("Colonel Jack Hays"), soldier, surveyor, and brother of Harry Thompson Hays, was born January 28, 1817, and died April 28, 1883. For brief biographies see the Dictionary of American Biography, VIII, 463. Z. T. Fulmore, The History and Geog1·aphy of Texas as Told in Count11 Names, 217-219. La.mar Papers (6 ~ols.) passim. A. J. Sowell,
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