Isaac Van Zandt to Anson Jones, September 18, 1843

Summary: Van Zandt forwarded to Jones his correspondence with United States officials dealing with the upcoming Indian Council. He also updated Jones about the case of Dr. Robertson's stolen slaves and indicated that the U.S. would probably return them very shortly. Finally, he said he had discovered an illicit trade between natives and U.S. traders and made the necessary complaints to the U.S. government.

[Dispatch No. 108.]

LEGATION OF TEXAS

Washington D.C. Sept. 18th. 1843

Hon ANSON JONES

Secretary of State

SIR

I have the honor, herewith, to enclose you a copy of a letter, received from the Secretary of State of the United States, dated the 7th. Inst, together with a copy of a letter from the Chief Clerk of the War Department, and an extract of a communication from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, which accompanied the letter of the Secretary of State; and also a copy of my letter, of the 14th. Inst, acknowledging the receipt of the communication above referred to. These several communications, with the facts already in your possession, will give you information of all the proceedings which have been had here in relation to the contemplated Indian Council. All of which I hope will meet the concurrence of your Department, and that the necessary steps will be taken to secure a corresponding action on the part of our Government.

I send you also a copy of my letter, to the Secretary of State, of the United States, of the 14th. Inst, calling his attention to the subject of the capture of the two negroes of Dr. Robertson, which had heretofore been a matter of correspondence between the two Governments. After my letter was written, and before it had been sent, I received a communication from Mr. Upshur of the same date, upon the same subject, which assumed entire different, and adverse grounds to those assumed by me. Believing the letter must have been written without reflection, I determined to send mine, and pay no attention to that of the Secretary, until I could see him personally, which I did on today. After adverting to the case, and discussing it, Mr. Upshur requested me to return his letter, in order that he might reconsider the matter, promising me at the same time an early answer. I cannot believe, but that the negroes will be surrendered. With the testimony which I have produced to the Department, I do not know how they can avoid it. I shall give the subject every attention and advise you as early as possible of the result. In investigating this matter, I have discovered important information in regard to an illicit trade carried on with the wild Indians of Texas, by traders from the United States, of which I made complaint, under your instructions last winter, and which was denied by Mr. Spencer the then Secretary of War. So soon as I can embody all the facts I

shall lay the same before this Government, and request an action thereon.

I have received nothing from your department for more than two months past.

With great regard

Your friend and Obdt. Servt

ISAAC VAN ZANDT

[Inclosed are the following: Upshur to Van Zandt, September 7, 1843; Parker to Upshur, August 22, 1843; Crawford to Porter, August 18, 1843; Van Zandt to Upshur, September 14, 1843 (acknowledging receipt of Upshur's note of September 7); Van Zandt to Upshur, September 14, 1843 (concerning Dr. Robertson's negroes).]

Source Copy Consulted: Isaac Van Zandt to Anson Jones, September 18, 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: 211-212