Isaac Van Zandt to Anson Jones, August 31, 1843

Summary: Van Zandt reported to Jones on his work in Washington. Several agents have dropped off patent paperwork, census material, and other documents, which Van Zandt was forwarding to Texas. The major event he reported on was the calling of a council between Texas, the United States, and Indians. He felt optimistic about the council, even though the U.S. appeared lukewarm toward it, and urged Jones to forward tobacco and other presents as a sign of good will towards the Indians. Closed the dispatch by informing Dr. Robinson that the U.S. would soon issue an order allowing him to reclaim his stolen slaves.

Dispatch 106

LEGATION OF TEXIAN

Washington City August 31st. 1843

Hon ANSON JONES

Secretary of State

SIR

Mr. Barnard has just arrived here, and will leave immediately for Texas. Through his kindness I am enabled to transmit to you the census documents alluded to in a former dispatch. They contain much valuable statistical information upon the subject of the commerce of this country, and will be of much service as a work of reference for your Department upon that subject. Mr. Raymond sent you the Post Office forms and blanks by Mr. Abell, bearer of

dispatches from this Government. Mr. Ellsworth of the Patent Office has enclosed you by mail all the papers in relation to patents--all of which I hope in due time will arrive safe.

I received a few days ago a letter from Dr. Smith, dated at Paris on the 1st Inst. He enclosed me a copy of a dispatch which he had sent to your Department. As the facts mentioned are of importance and fearing some delay may have attended it, I have sent you a copy, so that if the original letter has not reached you, you may have the information which it contains.

The President, and all the Cabinet except Mr. Henshaw, are now absent and will not return for two or three weeks. Previous to the departure of the Secretary of War, I agreed with him in regard to the preliminaries of an Indian Council. I send you a copy of my letter to the Secretary of State upon this subject, a formal answer to which has not been received, and perhaps may not be until the Secretary returns. I have however the honor to inform you, that the necessary orders have issued from the War Department to Gov Butler, who has appointed the Commissioners, and directed them to start forthwith to invite the Indians in. A deputation of three persons is to go and they are to carry with them tobacco, and other presents to induce them to come in--they are to meet on the Texas side of Red River, and in the neighborhood of the mouth of Cache Creek, which is a short distance above Coffee's station. The full moon in November is the time agreed upon. I would have prefered it earlier, but Gov Butler was of opinion that it was best to give full time, so as to prevent all difficulties. I hope the steps which I have thus taken may meet your approbation, and that in due time His Excellency the President will send Commissioners to attend the Council. It will be necessary to have a little beef and perhaps a few bushels of corn for the Indians. The United States will also send in some provissions, and presents to be given them at the Council.

The final instructions which are to govern the Commissioners of the United States have not been given. I do not know to what extent they may go. I should have no difficulty if it were not for the cold notions of Mr. Crawford the Head of the Indian Bureau. I will do the best I can, satisfied that even a full, and friendly joint talk will be of much service.

Since my dispatch of June, last, was written I have been enabled to obtain some important evidence in relation to the negroes of Dr Robinson, and I am now satisfied that I shall obtain an order for

them, so soon as the Secretary of State returns to his post. I think therefore that you would do well to inform Dr Robinson, that it will not likely be necessary for him to take any further steps in relation to procuring testimony, until I ascertain what further can be done here.

I have the honor to be with great

respect--Your friend and Obdt. Servt

ISAAC VAN ZANDT

Source Copy Consulted: Isaac Van Zandt to Anson Jones, August 31, 1843, in George Garrison, ed., Diplomatic Correspondence of the Republic of Texas, Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1908, (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1911), 3 vols., 2: 205-207