Hd. Qrs. Western Department
Camp Sabine, August 4 1836
Sir—
I received on the 27th your letter of the 4th of July, with the packet
refered to addressed to the President of the United States, which I on the 30th
forwarded by an Officer. Having reason to believe the President will be at
Nashville Tenne. in time to meet the packet at that place, the bearer of it
was directed to go thither,—where he will either find the President, or
learn where it is likely he may be met with, on his journey to Tennessee.
I am therefore in hopes I shall hear from him in relation to the
arrangement proposed, sooner than a trip to Washington usually requires.
In reply to that part of your letter in which you speak of my
guaranteeing in the name of the united States the fulfilment of a Treaty entered into
with the distinguished General Santa Anna, the President of Mexico, while
a prisoner of war, by the Government of Texas, I have to regret that I have
not in my present instructions from the President of the United States
sufficient authority to enable me to make such a guarantee.
Nevertheless should the General in chief of the Mexican army, operating
or preparing to operate against Texas unite with the President Santa Anna
in an arrangement with the high Civil and military authorities of Texas, the
United States military commander here, viewing Mexico and Texas as
friendly neighboring powers, would, at their request, extend to the public
functionaries of both Governments, in the vicinity of this frontier,
whatever acts of humanity, or courtecy, might be desired by them, consistently
with or not forbidden by the laws of Nations—or the Laws or Regulations
of the united States.
The present moment appears to be propitious for action towards the
attainment of a durable peace between the contending parties, and the
arrangement suggested by you, if it can be made in accordance with the
views which I have just now expressed, may save an immense waste of
blood and treasure on both sides.— Whilst a continuance of war even
for a few months longer would lay the foundation for endless feuds and
bloody conflicts between the civilized inhabitants of this section of
America—whose vital interests call aloud for peace concord—and if possible a
close alliance, firm and durable as the Rocks which form the basis of our
greatest mountains!
Hoping to be able soon to address you more explicitly upon this
subject, I am with great respect your most obdt. servt.
Edmund P. Gaines
To General S. F. Austin Columbia, Texas.