96 The greater part of the inhabitants in the border area were seemingly loyal to the United States, though many people claimed to be subjects of Mexico, or of the United States as interest or convenience dictated, and obstructed the execution of Arkansas laws "whenever they are brought to operate against themselves (2)." A considerable and sometimes unfriendly Indian population consisting of Pawness, Shawnees, Delawares, Kickapoos, Cherokees, Osages, and Comanches resided nearby (3). The first information of impending trouble on the international border came from Indian Agent George Gray of Red River Agency, who wrote Secretary of War James Barbour on July 3, 1827, that "a company armed and equipped as Infantry" was organizing "along the frontiers" for the professed purpose of plundering and robbing the Comanche Indians. The company intended to rendezvous "somewhere in the neighborhood of the Upper part of this agency." Gray had written Governor George Izard of Arkansas Territory and Major Alexander Cummings, commandant of Fort Towson on Red River, "requesting their co-operation in suppressing this attempt (4)." He believed that the expedition, comprising men "of the worst description," planned to take advantage of an impending war between the Mexican military and the Texas Indians. According to Gray, the Mexican authorities, irritated by the recent unsuccessful Fredonian Rebellion in the department of Texas, had determined to drive out the Indians, who had meantime formed a "powerful combination" against the Mexicans (5). News of the proposed order expedition against the Indians reached Little Rock, the territorial capital, via a communication from Major Cummings to Governor Izard (Gray's earlier letter to Izard seems not to have been delivered). Cummings enclosed a proclamation recently promulgated by Nathaniel Robbins and Charles Burkham of Miller County. _____________________ 2. Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock), April 30, 1828. 3. "The Late Military Movements on Our South-Western Frontier." ibid., November 6, 1827; John H. Fowler to editor, February 1, 1828, ibid., February 13, 1828; Foreman, Indians & Pioneers, 237-249. 4. Gray to Secretary of War, July 3, 1827, Clarence e. Carter, ed., Territorial Papers of the United States, Vol. XX, Arkansas Territory (Washington, 1953), 500-501. 5. Gray to Secretary of War, June 13, 1827, ibid., 479-481; Gray to Edmund P. Gaines, June 15, 1827, ibid., 484-486.         Contents  Words  Study Questions  Related Sites  Next Page