Slales; and if Mexico he unwilling or unable to perform that duty, the Uniled Slates are authorized, by the law of nations and Lhe right of self-defence, lo perform it for her. If General Gaines should be satisfied Lhat any body of Indians who dislurb the peace of the frontier of the United States receive assislance or sheller within lhe Mexican territory, it is nol to be presumed thal Mexico will take offence at the adoption, by him, of Lhe most speedy and decisive measures for punishing those Indians, and depriving them of the means to prosecute their lawless designs against Lhe lives and property of American citizens. For this purpose it will be proper for General Gaines to take an advanced position which may be most favorable for securing the frontier, and he will be ·authorized to pursue the Indians wherever they may be found, without regard to the Mexican limits, or to those now claimed by the Texans. General Gaines must, however, be careful not to be deceived by the evidence on which an act involving so much responsibility is to be justified; and the troops of the United States must not occupy an advanced post in the Mexican territiory, unless is be necessary, unless the peace of the frontier be actually disturbed, or there, be a moral certainty that the Indians are in hostile array for the purpose, and are obtaining the means of operation from the Mexican territory. Should General Gaines receive evidence that the Indians are committing hostilities, and that they pass through the Mexican territory, or otherwise use it in accomplishing their savage designs, it ish his duty, for the performance of which he is responsible, as commander of the forces charged with the protection of the frontier of the United States, to pursue and take those Indians, wherever they can be found. The President concludes by cautioning General Gaines against holding any correspondence with the chiefs of Mexico or of Texas, other than is indicated in the instructions which he has received or may receive from the Government of the United States. General Gaines is aware that the Mexicans have already charged his soldiers with having fought and defeated them at the battle of San Jacinto, and allhough no charge could be more groundless, yet the cicumstance of its having been made shows the necessity of caution on the part of General Gaines. In his second letter lo General Gaines, written also on the 4th of September, 1836, the President, in addition lo what he had
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