Columbia, Texas, July 4 —1836

Major Genl. Edmund P. Gain[e]s

Sir

I arrived here a few days since from the U. S. and find this country still threatened with war and its evils. The Indians have commenced active hostilities on the whole line of the frontier along the upper or San Antonio road. I am told they are all Northern indians with rifles, principally Harper's ferry, an arm that is not used by the native tribes of Texas.

The Mexicans are concentrating their forces at Matamoras and have no doubt advanced to the river Nueces by this time. Genl Urrea is the commander-in-chief, he has already been joined by Genl Cortazar with fresh troops from the interior.

The movement of the Mexican Army into Texas again, will embolden the indians west of the Mississippi, who no doubt communicate with those to the east of that river, and the probability of an indian war on the South western limits of the U. S. appears to be much stronger than it ever was.

I confidently believe that the movement of the troops under your command to Nacogdoches will stop an indian war and preserve the tranquility of the U. S. frontier. Such a movement will meet with the approbation of the Govt of Texas, as you will perceive by the letter of President Burnet, which accompanies this, and I am confident it will receive the most decided sanction of the people of Texas.

The president of Mexico Genl. Santa Anna, who is now a prisoner in this place, assures me in the most decided and unequivocal terms of his desire to end this Texas war on the basis of a recognition of our independence, and he has written to Genl. Jackson, requesting the mediation of the U. S. Government to terminate the war on that basis.

The packet which I herewith send you for Genl. Jackson, contains Genl Santa Anna's letter to him and many other important papers of great interest to the public service of both countries, and I therefore must beg the favor of you to forward them with the least possible delay, by express, or in such manner as you may deem expeditious and safe—

I have no hesitation in saying that I believe Genl. Santa Anna is sincere, and in good faith, in the promises and offers he has made to this Govt, to acknowledge our independence and admit the mediation of the U. S. but he can do nothing as a prisoner, or until he returns to Mexico and reassumes the Govt, or to the Mexican Army and resumes the command, and such is the state of public opinion here and in our Army that he can not be released until he gives such guarantees, as will satisfy both Army and the people of his sincerity. Now the guarantee of Genl. Jackson will be sufficient, and I believe that your guarantee, in conjunction with the establish- ment of your head quarters at Nacogdoches, would be sufficient— In this event Genl. Santa Anna would be liberated— I mean in the event of your guaranteeing in the name of the U. S. the fulfilment of the treaty made by Santa Anna with the Govt, of Texas. The main substance of this treaty is to remove all the Mexican troops beyond the Rio Bravo immediately, and to procure the acknowledgement of the Independence of Texas from the Mexican Congress and terminate the war by negociation, calling in the mediation of the U. S. as he has done by his letter to Genl. Jackson of this date.

Should your instructions admit of the course indicated without waiting for an answer to Genl Santa Anna's letter to President Jackson, I am of the opinion it will lead to an immediate cessation of hostilities and to a termination of the war. In the event that you feel authorised to tender your friendly interposition in this matter I have no doubt it will be accepted both by Genl Santa Anna and by the Govt of Texas—the substance of the tender being to pave the way for peace and procure the liberation of Genl Santa Anna, the president of a nation that is on the most friendly terms with the U. S., and if you could visit this place in person, for the above purposes it would have a decisive effect and Genl Santa Anna would no doubt be set at liberty, and pave the way through you, for a termination of all this difficulty.

I make these suggestions as a citizen of Texas— I hold no office, but can go into the Cabinet whenever it may be necessary and I have no doubt the Govt, and people here will approve of the course I have indicated should it be adopted by you, nor can I doubt that the U. S. Govt will approve of it, in as much as the object is to terminate a war upon its borders that is viewed by that Govt, and people with great interest, and to promote and serve the cause of humanity and procure the liberation of the President of Mexico, on terms that will be satisfactory to all parties—neither can I doubt that it will be viewed by Mexico in any other light than an act of friendship towards President Santa Anna. Delay may be pernicious—the Mexican Army is advancing and if hostilities commence it may be too late to do anything. The country is turning out en masse, and I have no doubt the Mexican Army will be cut to pieces, but the inhabitants are suffering greatly by being compelled to keep the field, and their good will be promoted by a speedy and final termination of the war.

Genl. Santa Anna desires that these matters should not be published in the newspapers yet.

S. F. Austin