Note 97 — [39] CHAPTER IX [III]

The Spanish-American frontier was, during this whole period, the scene of almost constant friction, and several filibustering expeditions invaded Texas during the first two decades of the century. In 1811 Bernardo Gutierrez, a Mexican refugee, and Augustus Magee, an ex-officer of the United States army, led a force into eastern Texas, seized Nacogdoches, and drove the Spanish troops in confusion across Trinity River. On some such exploit as this—possibly this very one—the Indians doubtless based their story. During the year of Major Long's expedition, another man of the same patronymic (James Long, a Natchez merchant) led another party into Texas, but achieved slight success. See Garrison, Texas (Boston, 1903). An article in Niles' Register (xix, p. 133), speaking of the Comanche, says: "These Indians consider themselves the most powerful nation in the world, and next to them, the Americas (as they call the people of the United States). But, since Long's defeat, they rank Spain before America, considering Long to have the command of all the United States."—Ed.