May [24] 1824
I enclose to you the temporary and provisional regulations
approved by the Political Chief of this Province which are to
govern for the present and untill we receive copies of the laws-—You
will post them up in a secure place in your House where all may
read them, and in all cases that may occur be regulated by them
It should be your particular attention to try in all cases to effect
a compromise between parties and to discourage litigation as much
as possible and endeavor by gentle and persuasive means to
preserve harmony between the inhabitants of your District, and
reconcile any little neighborhood difficulties without lawrsuits—The
common good of us all most imperiously requires that we should
establish a general character for sobriety, industry and Harmony, And
it is the duty of the Alcalde, and of every good man to
discountenance every thing that tends to breed disorder or to interrupt the
harmony of a neighborhood.
You will appoint a Constable for your district and take a bond
with securities from him as is directed by the I Article of the
Civil regulations and make a return thereof to me—Should any
thing remarkable occur you will give me information thereof.—
Be attentive to cultivate the most friendly understanding with the
Coshatta and Choctaw Indians in your neighborhood and inform
them that the americans consider them as their friends and
Brothers—It should be the particular care of every one to treat all the
Spaniards who behave properly with attention and respect,
avoiding as Much as possible all difficulties or disputes with them, to effect
this much caution is necessary in trading with them particularly for
Horses and Mules and the safest rule is not to purchace from them
at all unless the Horse or mule in counter-branded for otherwise
the purchacer runs the risk of loosing him.