Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-08-26


eastward of the Rio del Norte, is included
in the boundaries of Texas, and SO ac-
knowledged by those Nations which have
recognized their independence, of which
Nations the Americans are one,
They do not, generally, censure Capt.
Cooke for disarming although they
did not like his modus operandi--if he act
ed under the full conviction that they were
body Of armed men illegally upon Ameri-
can Territory, but deny the correctness of
such position, and consider that though he |
may be justified by the Government of the
United States in his course under the cir
cnmstances yet that they have just claim
for indemnity.
They deny that the Chavis affair should
be made to reflect upon them-or their eX-
pcdition--for admitting that the actors in
that tragedy, we're engaged by person
holding a commission from the Texan Go.
vernment, to Join the Texan force, still they
had not yet done so, or even entered uponI
Texan territory. They were still Ameri-
can citizens, and the crime was committed
on American soil!
They deny the least intention 70 have
molested American citizens, or to have ia
ken American propcrty--and that they
would have respected all Invoices made to
others than Mexicans--and would not have
demanded passports or protectors. That
an attack would have been preceded by the
sending of a flag of truce, requesting
the Americans to withdraw with their
property--all remaining would have been
considered as uniting with the Mexicans
and treated as enemies.
They deny any intention TO enter upon
American Territory, TO intercept or attack
the caravan; but having attacked it beyond
the line, would not have hesitated TO pursue
it upon American Territory, if it there took
refuge.
They admit that there might have been
among their number, persons who would
advise dishonorable course-but maintain
that they would not have been permitted to
have pursued it, and that it was impossible,
under the circumstances of the case, to OBJ
tain an intimate knowledge of the charac-
ter and previous history of every man in
command.
The caravan arrived at the crossing on
the Sd of July, the last wagons from indie.
pendence having been thirty.nine days en-
route. There had been some days deten-
ton in consequence of bad weather, high
water and the breaking of waggons-the
latter cause of delay having been nvaria-
bly, occasioncd by those of Putsburg man.
utacture,
On the 4th, the company safely crossed
the river. The dragons commenced their
homeward march on the morning of the
9Th, and rejoined the force of Capt. ferret
on the 9Th at Pawnee Fork.
The Texans who had left with Capt
ferret were still under his protection, but
on the same day, with the exception of five
or six men, they changed their course tc
the Southwark, probably intending to re
turn TO Capt. Chandler. About three day
afterwards, a party, consisting principally
of the same men, but also of some who hac
at first declined going to Missouri, anc
others of Chambers command, who hac
not been dsarmed, overlook the troops a,
Turkey Greek. A few proceeded in adj
vance of Capt. Cooke.
When the Dragons left the trace on the
10TH for Fort Leavenworth, few of the
Texans accompanied them, and the re-
mainder continued their course to the lone
with the company under Capt ferret, who
was destined TO Fort Scott. OF this mum.
Der, four went TO Independence and the
rest took the military road leading south
ward, to the various American Posts.
Of the original one hundred and eighty
Texans, it is probable that about thirty I,
forty came to the settlement-so that, sup
posing the main body still determined upol
offensive operations, and all reunited, the,
may muster one hundred and thirty TO on
hundred and forty men.
The Caravan consisted Of about one hun
dred and twenty-five men-one half bein
Mexcans--and having about ffty-fv
wagons, which could be formed in "corai
in few minutes, in case of an attack
and always were so, when the compan,
was not advancing. The Governors fore
was composed Of ono hundrcd Regular
and three hundred Militia.
The Camanches, who were in the neigh
borhood in great number, are friendly Il
the northern Mexicans and Americans-anc
in Capt. Chambers camp, it was believed
that they were in communication with tn,
caravan.
Col. Snivelys camp upon the Arkansa
was so situated as not TO be observed from
the Trace, and would not have been dis
covered had not their hunters upon TIN
north side Of the river retreated immedi
ately to the spot
On the evening of the capture there wa
rumor in the Texan camp that the Mex
leans were approaching and they appeare
much alarmed The Dragons were in
stantly mounted for their defence, and tn