Message from the President of the United States to the two houses of Congress at the commencement of the Second Session of the Twenty-Eighth Congress. December 3, 1844. Page: 98 of 129
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[1 ] 98
he offered them the choice either to abandon their own country, and receive
an escort to Independence, Missouri, or to be turned loose, with but
one gun to every tenth man, to make their way through a wilderness of
several hundred miles, inhabited by the most hostile savages, and by
lunting to save themselves from starvation and death. Some accepted of
the humiliating terms of an escort, while others attempted the more hazardous
return to their homes. The latter joined a detachmt-rlet then out,
under Captain Clhandler; but, from their destitute situation, a number fell
a prey to the murderous Indians. Thus was accomplished this unprovoked
tand excessive outrage, whiichl is alike violative of every principle of
international law, revolting to the feelings of humnatity, and in contempt
of the rights and derogatory to the honor and digllity o' the Republic of
Texas.
Not with-standing the many grievous circumstances attendingl this affair,
the Goverrnment of the undersigned has likewise seen- with regret a published
letter of Major General Gaines to Brigadier General Taylor, in which
the acts of Captain Cooke are not only not condemned, but sallctioned and
applauded, while at the same time the most odious epitliets are expended
upon tile forces of Texas. This officer likewise asstumes thle nost extra,ordinary
doctrine, that, because the boundary line has not been run, the
armies of the United States have the right to operate as far west as the
Rio Grande. The undersigned feels that it is quite useless to enter upon
the argument of a proposition so absurd. AVitih equal propriety could
Texas claim the right to march her forces to the Mississippi river, or even
beyond it. Mr. Upshur cannot fail to discover that such a doctrine as that
assumed by Major General Gaines, should it be attempted to be practically
carried out, nmust inevitably lead to a collision between the two countries.
The Government of the undersigned, fully aware of the great sensibility
wvith whichl thie Government of the United States always views an indigiity
offered to itself, cannot for a moment but believe it equally resolved
to give no oflence to others; anld that these several acts set fortlh, and now
complained of, were neither done in pursuance of its orders, nor have thiey
received its sanction. Influenced also by this belief, the hope is confidently
indulged, that the Government of the United States will at once disclaim
these acts of its officers, as well as the priniciples assumed by tlhem.
The undersigned also informs the honorable Secretary of State that he
has been instructed to ask, and respectfully demand, whiiclh he now does,
that such course may be adopted as will afford tlat proper and speedy satisfactio
arnd indemnification for these wrotngs and injuries which the Government
of Texas, firmly relying upon the jiistice, imagnaniittvy, and friendly
disposition of the Government of the United States, expects to obtain;
and also the exemplary punishment of Captain Cooke, who committed the
outrage, as well as the major general by whose authority and under whose
sanction, it appears, he acted, in order that others may be deterred by their
example from the perpetration of acts calculated in their nature to jeopard
the peace and concord of nations.
The lundersig.nied, with pleasure. avails him.self of this occasion to offer
to Mr. Upshlu rei.,ewed assurances of his disttinu-isled considera.tion.
ISAAC VANN ZAND'T.
Iolo. A, P, tTr?!r, fyc,
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United States. President (1841-1845 : Tyler). Message from the President of the United States to the two houses of Congress at the commencement of the Second Session of the Twenty-Eighth Congress. December 3, 1844., book, 1844; Washington. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5829/m1/98/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .