The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 39, July 1935 - April, 1936 Page: 329

Letters of Antonio Martinez

must again beg you to help me with the articles I have asked for.
Without them-and particularly without reinforcement of troops
--it is not possible for me to attend to the various matters that
so urgently demand my attention. In addition to the anxiety
the Americans cause me I am pressed by the Indian nations.
Just today I have had information of a large body of Indians
who have been committing terrible depredations against the Prov-
ince of Coahuila and who may fall upon this place at any moment
where they would be able to harm the people alone since there is
not a single cow or horse left.
June 28, 1817.
No. 19.
I have just received your letter of the 13th of the present month
by which I am informed of all you tell me concerning the traitor
Vicente Travieso. I already had news of him before my arrival
from Bahia. This is why 1 left Castafieda twenty-five men in
addition to the thirty he already had to depend upon. This is
all the reinforcements I could spare from the small force I have,
for, in addition to the fact that the number of men I have is
naturally small, many of them are sick while many others have
deserted. Nevertheless, you may rest assured that I will not lose
a moment in carrying out your orders as far as my small force
will permit so that the commandant of Bahia will not be in the
same hard position he has lately been in. I am sending two four
inch cannon to that place. I have also sent him the necessary
ammunition. I am now sending him a letter charging him to
be vigilant and to take all possible precautionary measures. A
few hours since I received information that there had not been
any particular development since my departure from that point
except the capture of two Lipan Indians-father and son, the
elder being blind. The plans are to send them to you.
June 28, 1817.
[Nos. 20, 21, 22, and 23 are formal letters of transmittal, all
dated June 29, 1817, covering military reports and reviews.]
No. 24.
For your information I am enclosing to you the diary of events
on the march I made from this capital to Bahia and back.
June 29, 1817.

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