The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-08-12
LETTER OF GENERAL GAINES TO GEN.
TAYLOR.
Headquarters, ST. LOUIS, Missouri,

HEAD-QUARTERs, ST.. LOUIS, Missouri,
July 81, lS43.
SIR; An escort for the protection of Santa Re ira
ders has been asked for, and authorized by the De-
partment of War; to leave Independence, Missouri,
the 9th Of August, next month"; or as soon there
after practicable.
While making arrangements TO furnish the desired
escort, have received the report of Capt. St G..
Cooke, of the regiment Of dragons, by which find
that, although he had met with and very properly
disarmed one hundred men protesting TO be Tsria,s
whose avowed object was TO attack and capture the
Mexican caravans found upon the Santa Fs road yet
some other men of the same description supposed
to be still lowering about this trading road ready TO
ponnce upon the unofending caravans.
This must not be- 1t is our bounden duty to put
down all predatory movements of this sort of land
pripateerfng, such as have too long contributed to
mark the character of men calling themselves mem
bers Of American Republics towards each other.
We must destroy, arrest, disdrm all such lawess
combinations whenever found within or near our IN
marked boundary.
In the under consideration, it is very evident
that no such movements captures can take place
amy where upon the Santa Re road, without eoparding
the lives and property of many of good citizens
| engaged in this valuable and growing trade. Under
this view Of the subject | could not hesitate to APP
prove the conduct OF that excellent officer, Captain
Cooke.
The question whether the pretended Texans were
found within our territorial limits not, ques-
ton which, in the absence of a marked boundary,
Captain Cook had right to decide, far e' The
government of his conduct concerned, while IN
the discharge of the duty assigned TO him. His duy
was to afford protection to the persons and property Of
the citizens of the United States and Mexico, law
fully engaged in trade upon the Santa Fe road.
The sacred character of this duty required perfect
mpartiality on the part Of the United States
mander 10 whom il is conhded, and naturally consti-
tutes him, while acting under the authority Of his
Government, fit and proper judge for the time
being to decide how far he can go, and where he
should halt consistently with the well known princ-
piles of the law Of nations
have long acted upon the principle that for the
purposes OF projection of unotending citizens against
savages, as well as against predatory bands Of civil
lied men disposed to violate the known laws of war;
or TO violate the ongcherisbed principles of that free
trade and social intercourse which have done so much
for the great cause of civilization and free govern
ment throughout the civilized world We should not
hesitate to consider every foot of land and water
near our unmarked boundary, and especially that
upon the Santa Fe road, from the Missouri TO the
Rio del Nore neutral ro,ind and within the reach
of our authority, at least until the boundary line is
marked and established according existing treaties
acted upon this principle upon the Sabine frontier
IN the year 1886, much TO the dissatisfaction Of Ger
tam seli-esteemed nbotionist, with whom these land
pr'rdee's may now unite in abusing me- But am
never so well satisfied with my conduct as when
ind myself abused by political intriguers and land
prlvateers or pirates.
, The escort recently authorized by the Department
OF War will be ordered to assemble after the
9th OF August next month, practicable, at near
independence 1t is possible that theescort may not
be ready TO leave Independence until the 18th Of
August.
am, very respectfully, your obedcnt servant,
EDMUND p. GAINES,
Major General u S. Army Commanding.
To Brig. Gen. 4. TAYLop
Com. the 2d Dept, Fort Smith, Arkansas.