Columbia, Texas, July 4 —1836
Major Genl. Edmund P. Gain[e]s
Sir
I arrived here a few days since from the U. S. and find this country still
threatened with war and its evils. The Indians have commenced active
hostilities on the whole line of the frontier along the upper or San Antonio
road. I am told they are all Northern indians with rifles, principally
Harper's ferry, an arm that is not used by the native tribes of Texas.
The Mexicans are concentrating their forces at Matamoras and have no
doubt advanced to the river Nueces by this time. Genl Urrea is the
commander-in-chief, he has already been joined by Genl Cortazar with fresh
troops from the interior.
The movement of the Mexican Army into Texas again, will embolden the
indians west of the Mississippi, who no doubt communicate with those to
the east of that river, and the probability of an indian war on the South
western limits of the U. S. appears to be much stronger than it ever was.
I confidently believe that the movement of the troops under your
command to Nacogdoches will stop an indian war and preserve the tranquility
of the U. S. frontier. Such a movement will meet with the approbation of
the Govt of Texas, as you will perceive by the letter of President Burnet,
which accompanies this, and I am confident it will receive the most decided
sanction of the people of Texas.
The president of Mexico Genl. Santa Anna, who is now a prisoner in this
place, assures me in the most decided and unequivocal terms of his desire
to end this Texas war on the basis of a recognition of our independence,
and he has written to Genl. Jackson, requesting the mediation of the U. S.
Government to terminate the war on that basis.
The packet which I herewith send you for Genl. Jackson, contains Genl
Santa Anna's letter to him and many other important papers of great
interest to the public service of both countries, and I therefore must beg the
favor of you to forward them with the least possible delay, by express, or
in such manner as you may deem expeditious and safe—
I have no hesitation in saying that I believe Genl. Santa Anna is sincere,
and in good faith, in the promises and offers he has made to this Govt, to
acknowledge our independence and admit the mediation of the U. S. but he
can do nothing as a prisoner, or until he returns to Mexico and reassumes
the Govt, or to the Mexican Army and resumes the command, and such is
the state of public opinion here and in our Army that he can not be
released until he gives such guarantees, as will satisfy both Army and the
people of his sincerity. Now the guarantee of Genl. Jackson will be
sufficient, and I believe that your guarantee, in conjunction with the establish-
ment of your head quarters at Nacogdoches, would be sufficient— In this
event Genl. Santa Anna would be liberated— I mean in the event of your
guaranteeing in the name of the U. S. the fulfilment of the treaty made by
Santa Anna with the Govt, of Texas. The main substance of this treaty is
to remove all the Mexican troops beyond the Rio Bravo immediately, and
to procure the acknowledgement of the Independence of Texas from the
Mexican Congress and terminate the war by negociation, calling in the
mediation of the U. S. as he has done by his letter to Genl. Jackson of
this date.
Should your instructions admit of the course indicated without waiting
for an answer to Genl Santa Anna's letter to President Jackson, I am of the
opinion it will lead to an immediate cessation of hostilities and to a
termination of the war. In the event that you feel authorised to tender your
friendly interposition in this matter I have no doubt it will be accepted
both by Genl Santa Anna and by the Govt of Texas—the substance of the
tender being to pave the way for peace and procure the liberation of Genl
Santa Anna, the president of a nation that is on the most friendly terms
with the U. S., and if you could visit this place in person, for the above
purposes it would have a decisive effect and Genl Santa Anna would no
doubt be set at liberty, and pave the way through you, for a termination of
all this difficulty.
I make these suggestions as a citizen of Texas— I hold no office, but
can go into the Cabinet whenever it may be necessary and I have no doubt
the Govt, and people here will approve of the course I have indicated
should it be adopted by you, nor can I doubt that the U. S. Govt will
approve of it, in as much as the object is to terminate a war upon its borders
that is viewed by that Govt, and people with great interest, and to promote
and serve the cause of humanity and procure the liberation of the President
of Mexico, on terms that will be satisfactory to all parties—neither can I
doubt that it will be viewed by Mexico in any other light than an act of
friendship towards President Santa Anna. Delay may be pernicious—the
Mexican Army is advancing and if hostilities commence it may be too late
to do anything. The country is turning out en masse, and I have no doubt
the Mexican Army will be cut to pieces, but the inhabitants are suffering
greatly by being compelled to keep the field, and their good will be
promoted by a speedy and final termination of the war.
Genl. Santa Anna desires that these matters should not be published in
the newspapers yet.
S. F. Austin