194
TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
I was pleased to hear that you had retained your command, as there is some prospect of active service in the way of indian war- fare this spring. On this subject however I am not well informed; rumors are rife here about the nOTthern Comanches coming down. You are doubtless better informed on this point than I am. The Mexicans here, and in the neighboring towns, wear the semblance of friendship - with a slight peeping out of the cloven foot now and again. Our Texuin,-Mexican Seguin, presented himself a few days since, desiring permfa:sion to bring his family - which he thinks is in Saltillo-to this place. He says he will return to Texaa and risk consiquenc:es. He looks care worn & thread-bare. He is just from Queretaro and came by way of San Louis Potosi. He says the states of Jalisco, Durango & San Luis haYe declared for war & noth- ing but war. The Priesthood and lower clas8 together with the mili- tary will oppose to the last and forever an occupation of their Country. The wealthy and thinking portion wish for peace upon almost any terms. Arista warmly advocates peace, being the only military man who does. His trial for his misfortunes in the commencmnt of the war had not yet come a [sic] close. The monarchical scheme of Paredes dont take; the only demonstration made in its favor was in- stantly put down and the movers severely punished. Santana is, I have forgotten where, collect or trying to collect an Army. Seguin thinks the war will not soon terminate. Congress is pretty equally divided, as to numbers on the subject of war or pca<'e, yet the proffered mediation of England had been promptly refused, as he stated. There are at San Louis 700 regular mounted troops under Genl. A valus and 7000 citizen soldiers call'd national Guards,- the whole under command of Genl. Amador. Manuel Leal, the late Guerilla commandant of this district, presented recently a very modest petition for protection against the Mexicans ! with many protestations of friendship for "los Amercanos" · declaring that he had never robbed any one but M exica,ns during his official existence. I belieYe he has gone to work on a ranch some where in this neighborhood, upon my recommendation to go and. sin no more,. and, with the assurance that I would certainly shoot a man as soon for robbing Mexicans as Americans. Write me by Jose; he is a member of my company ann if you can have forage & rations issued to him you will confer a favor. Come up to Precidio some times; we have good living here - the fresh proviswns are truely excellent (of the sort?) Remember me to Bee & Peace, and last, but not least, to all my dear five hundred femeale friends. - Accept for yourself my sin- cere esteem.
Yours
John A. Veatch.
r Addressedl GrnJ. M. B. Lamar Laredo, Texas
[Endorsed] John A Veatch
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