The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 16, July 1912 - April, 1913 Page: 60
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The Southwestern Historical Quarterly
find Austin writing to Wharton that he had been assured that
the Cherokees, Caddos, Comanches, and other tribes had entered
into. a combination to join the Mexicans and were prepared to
do so when they heard of the defeat at San Jacinto. Austin was
convinced that it was of vital importance to the tranquillity of the
United States that American troops should continue at Nacog-
doches, and that the number should be increased rather than
diminished.1 In January, 1837, Wharton wrote Forsyth that the
Caddos within the United States were meditating an invasion
of the Republic of Texas and asked that the United States
troops should continue at Nacogdoches or at some other point
near the frontier.2 Ten days later Henderson was urging upon
Wharton and Hunt to point out to the Government of the United
States the necessity of stationing troops immediately at or near
Nacogdoches for the purpose of keeping the tribes in subjection.
He too was certain the Cherokees had formed a treaty during the
summer with the Mexicans at Matamoros with the intent to attack
the people of Texas."
When rumors of Indian attacks and alliances were thus flying
back and forth across the border, is it to be wondered at that Gen-
eral Gaines felt it incumbent upon him to take up an advanced
position across the Sabine?4
On the whole it is difficult to see ho.w a President, could have
been animated by a more scrupulous regard for the proper observ-
ance of our neutral relations on the part both of the government
and of the people than characterized Jackson's attitude during the
'Austin to Wharton, December 10, 1836. Garrison, Dip. Cor. Tem., I, 156.
The Virginia Herald of August 20, 1836, prints a letter dated New Or-
leans, July 29, in which the writer seeks to show that the story of the
visit of the Cherokee chiefs to Matamoros for the purpose of making a
treaty with the Mexicans was "entirely a fabrication."
2Wharton to Forsyth, January 11, 1837. Garrison, Dip. Cor. Tex., I,
175. Cf. Ibid., I, 187, 195, 203 et seq.
8Henderson to Wharton and Hunt, January 21, 1837. Ibid., I, 177-178.
4General Gaines, as is evident from his letter to Governor Cannon, of
Tennessee, attached slight importance to crossing a "little muddy branch
of the Sabine bay," inasmuch as he was "impressed with the belief that
the whole of the frontier would be involved in an Indian war as soon
as threatened hostilities between our neighbors on the West are renewed."
For an extended and unfavorable comment upon the proposed action of
General Gaines in advancing to "old Fort Nacogdoches," see the National
Intelligencer, March 10, 1836. Cf. Ibid., September 9, 1836.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 16, July 1912 - April, 1913, periodical, 1913; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101058/m1/66/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.