These instructions the President cannot recall consistently with the obligations of the hig trust confided to him by the people of the United States, unless he shall be satisfied that the danger of such hostilities no longer exists. If Mexico were in a condition to control the Indians within the territoy heretofore occupied by her, such instructions would have been unnecessary, and would never have been given. The President would have relied upon the treaty; and the dangers against which he now finds it his duty to guard; it would have been the duty of Mexico lo prevent. Norwithstanding Mr. Gorostiza's more limited admission of the rights of the United States, it cannot be justly denied that, if either of the contingencies provided for in the instructions to General Gaines actually existed and were known to the President, it would be his duty immediately to take the measures which General Gaines is now authorized to take when such contingency shall have happened. As the danger was represnetcd to be imminent, and the distance of Lhe frontier exposed to it is great, the charge of ascertaining the existence of these contingencies was confided to the commanding general. It was confided lo him, however, with all the admonitions necessary to secure its faithful execution; and it is to be exercised under all the responsibility, moral and official, which the importance of the consequences resulting from it may create. His proceedings will be open for inquiry; and the undersigned is authorized to assure Mr. Gorostiza that the President will sanction no disregard of the instructions which have been given for his government. To these instructions others have been added, enjoining the commanding general scrupulously to respect the rights of Mexico under the treaty, and religiously to observe and maintain a strict neutrality in the contest between Mexico and Texas. Though it may be unnecessary, yet, for greater safety, the attention of General Arbuckle, who succeeds General Gaines in the command of the western frontier, will be particularly directed to the proper observance of these instTuctions. Whether any portion of the troops of the United States are now at Nacogdoches, or within the territory heretofore claimed by Mexico, the undersigned is unable lo state. Mr. Gorostiza was informed by Mr. Forsyth, in the confernece of 23d ultimo, that is appeared by letters to General Gaines, from one of his subaltern
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