Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-08-08


/ War Department 10 Cen Games, under winch
that officer has deemed himself authorized to IN
wade tine territory Of friendly powcr-a power
will, which VIC arc bound. by sacred treaty obl'sa-
tons. to preserve the relations oipcacc and am
ity:
/ Wan DEPARTMENT, May II, 1896
! Sir: The President is very solic'toIs that 70" ,
! should act cautiously in carrying into elect your
instructions, and 10 do nothing whichcan compro-
mi, the neutral relations of the L. States our great
Objects az have been before stated are, TO deleid
our frontier 4 to fulfil the neutral obligations OF the
t Government. II the Indians not employ
ed Immediately upon the border, there will be no
need of your advancing beyond the territory in the
actual occupation of the United States, unless
armed parties should approach frontier SO near
manfestly to show that they mean to violate our
territorv.-Suc state OF things is scarcely TO DC
anticipated from either of the contcndmg parties
! in Texas. But ii is otherwise with the Indians In
the excitement of war they will not be restrained
boundary lines but will seek sea ps wherever they
can find them. The whole history of the employ
mcnt of Indians in the contests between civilized
communities, proves this fact II was principally
with view therefore to this state of things, that
you were authorized to cross the line dividing the
country actually in the occupation OF the U. s.,
| from that heretofore in the possession OF Mexico,
F., if such measure be necessary for the defence oil
the frontier. But | must impress upon you the
desire of the Prcsd mt that YOU do not advance
unless circumstances distinctly show this step is
necessary for the protection Of the district OF our
country ad jenng the scene OF operations IN Texas
Aud should you find necessary to advance YOU will
not fail To communicate to any armed parties IN
the country your orders and objects But you will.
under circumstances, cooperate with any OF
them, or suffer any of them to join you, nor inter-
lcrc in any manner with any military operations IN
Texas, except such as may be necessary for sell
defence.
Should you pass beyond the above mentioned
boundary line, you will return as the safe
,y of the frontier will permit Very respectfully,
YOUR most obi Scrv't, LEW !: CAss.
Mai. Gen. +. =. GAINES,
Fort Jesup, Louisiana.
With neither the specific instructions nor the
temper fthc foregoing letter do find any fault.
! The Secretary of War seems to be sufficiently
Solicous TO observe the neutral obligations of the
United States, by limiting the discretionary pow
er conlidcd 10 Gen. Gaines to the Sabine TO
two CONFERENCE.-The, to the " employment" by
either of the parties to the war now raging in Tex
as, Oft the Indian tribes within its limits, as to
endangcr the peace of our frontier and IDLY, to
the advance of armed parties so to our from
tier as manlesily TO show that they mean to vio-
late our territory" The latter contingency Gen.
Gaines does not pretend has occurred. Has the
former! Unqucstionaby not. The only reason
alleged by Gen. Gaines, in justification OF his
movement, is the "rumor,' itself perhaps false,
as niney-ninc in every hundred of such rumors
are, that two or three white men, belonging to
Robcrtsons colony in Texas, and of course not
citizens of the L. States, had been murdered by
the Caddoe Indians, not ON our frontier, or in its
vicinity, but seventy miles within the limit Of
Mexico, and considerable distance from Nacog-
dochcs, which he has assumed the responsibility of
Selling. If the rmor, therefore, true, it is
not the contingency upon which he was author
lied to act. 1t is case unprovdcd for in his in
structions. We do not therefore ccnsure the go
vcrnmcnt, for its Instructions, which WERE perhaps
necessary in the existing state of affairs in that
quarter, and, we understand them, looked only
to the duty of sclt-protection and we shall not
hereafter censurc it, unless in defiance of the max
i'm of the President " to do nothing" in his inter
course with foreign nations (which is wrong" it
shall sustain this higll-handcd act of Gen. Gaines
AN act equally vioativc OF the treaty with Mex
leo and of the constitution of his country. We
hope that Gen. Gaines will be instantly recalled,
his rash act disavowed and himself made to
answer for il before the constituted tribunals.
We are in great danger of permitting SYM
patIcs for the TEXANS, (cven those Of us who
not Interested in heavy land specuaiions, whose
varce is at least par with their love of liber-
ty,) to mislcad our judgments in preference to ques-
tons having bearing their But we
should not permit love for them, nor r,lusy-
excited antipathy to their savage enemies, to
induce to disregard our sacred national obi
cations, or TO look with misplaced lcnity on the
assumption 10y military officer of such .cal ful
responsibility. True, Mexico is weak, and we
are strong. Should a war arise between us, as
would certainly be the il she did not feel too
scnsibly her inability TO prosecute it, we might
easily subduc her, and, if we pleased, plant our
flag ON the palaces of her magnificent capital But
her weakness should rather secure forbearancc
than invite aggression. Let us leave to kings and
empcrors the unenvablc distinction of trampling !
upon the helpless. Republics should be more
generous aud just. We have already inflicted |
wrong enough upon ncighbor, by permitting
armed forces To be organized in our Streets and |
in the very teeth of the officers of the law appoint