The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-08-14
LETTER OF GENERAL GAINES TO GEN
TAYLOR it"tt


July 81, l843.
SIR An escort for the protection of Santa Fs ira
ders has been asked for and authorized by the De-
partment of War, to leave Independence, Missouri,
on the 9th OF August, next month, soon there
after practicable.
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 processing to be Terans,
whose avowed object was to attack and capture the
Mexican caravans found upon the Santa Fe road yet
some other men of the same description supposed
to be still lowering about this trading road ready to
pounce upon the uno6eDding caravans.
This must not be. 1t is bounden duty to put
down all predatory movements Of this sort of land
priuateering, such as have too long contributed to
mark the character of men calling themselves men,
bers of American Republics towards each other.
We must destroy, arrest, disorm ali such lawess
combinations whenever found within or near our un-
marked boundary.
In the case under consideration it is very evident
that no such movements captures can take place
any ,chere upon the Santa Fs road, without eopardng
the lives and property Of many of our good citizens
engaged IN this valuable and growing trade. Under
this view of the subject l could not hesitate to ap-
prove the conduct OF that excellent officer Captain
Cooke.
The question whether the pretended Texans we're
found within our territorial limits not was ques-
ton which, In the absence of marked boundary
Captain Cook had right to decide SO far as the
government OF his conduct concerned while in
the discharge of the duty assigned him His duty
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
mpartality on the part of the United States COM
mander to whom it is confded 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 prnci-
piles OF the law of nations.
have long acted upon the principle that for the
purposes OF protection of unoendng citizens against
savages as well as against predatory bands of civil
lzed men disposed to violate tie known laws of war;
or to violate the ong-cherished 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 Norte as neutral o,td and within the reach
OF our authority or at least until the boundary line is
marked and established according to existing treaties.
acted upon this principle upon the Sabine frontier
in the year 1886, much to the dissatisfaction Of
tain sell-esteemed oboitonists, with whom these land
pripaieers may unite in abusing me. But | am
never so well satisfied with my conduct when
find myself abused by political nriguers and land
privateers or pirates.
The escort recently authorized by the Department
OF War will be ordered to assemble soon after the
9th OF August, next month, practicable, at
Independence. 1t IS possible that the escort may
be ready to leave Independence until the 18th of
August
am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
EDMUND p. GAINES
Major General u s. Army Commanding.
To Brig Cen Il. TAYLOR
Com. the I'd Dept, Fort Smith, Arkansas.