7th January 1826
Dear Sir: I recd yours on the subject of whitesides—children
feelings of Humanity was the only thing which Induced me first to become their Guardian and those feeling still Exist but why should I
Involve myself in a life time difficulty for those whom from acquaintance nor no other causes have any claims on me as for the
children I pitty them their uncle is not nor never will be capable of
dooing anything for them. But this is not my business he is their
Relation and I am not. therefore I am willing that you should appoint him I will give him the children when ever he calls for them
My obligation as Guardian I shall Expect Returned to me etc—
We burried our little daughter yesterday she died suddenly I move to Bravo next week you Inclosed an order from Joshua
Parker to a Mr. Bell, for 2 Horses in one of your letters without
saying any thing about It. I know nothing about it. what is the
meaning of it or what doo you want done with the order
You say that the Goverment is displeased that you did not go
to war with the Wacos and Coumanches I am sorry to hear this but
sir we have better be driven out of the country by the Goverment
than by the Indians there is no one in the country that is more
disposed to defend the country than I am But as we are at peace
with those Indians we must remain so and even put up with some
abuse from them until we are able to fight them If we get into
difficulty with those Indians the Goverment is not able to assist us
and we are unable off ourselves to contend with them and my
oppinion is that the only policy for us is to let those Indians alone
say nothing to them and If the Goverment will force us into a war
with them we must make the best of It. I am allways Ready to act
my part, in peace or war
Jno P. Coles [Rubric]
Benjamin Edwards was very angry a few days previous to his
leaving here with you and I am convinced he was Rong and I
believe I satisfied him that he was Rong for the want of paper I
do not Relate the particulars but we will speak of It when I see you