Sometime since, two settlers of this Colony were hunting deer near
the mouth of the Colorado on the East bank, when a party of
Karankawase Indians rushed out of a grove in which they were concealed,
and followed them at full speed with their arms in readiness, and
other hostile demonstrations. The two settlers withdrew, and after
having joined with others, returned to look for those Indians, to
know if they were still hostile like last year, The Spies who took
the advance found an Indian Camp, but found in it only one man
and a woman. They called the Indian with friendly
demonstrations, but he assumed a hostile attitude, preparing his arms, upon
which one of the Spies shot his rifle at him and wounded him; The
Indian and the woman escaped to the woods. It is not known
whether the Indian died, but the signs of blood showed that he was
badly wounded They found in the Camp several articles stolen at
the mouth of the Colorado, last year, when these Indians killed
the inhabitants, and destroyed the settlement at that point, I have
sent word to the Chief of the Karankawases, not to allow his men
to go to the Colorado and Brazos, until they make peace with the
people of this Colony and advised him to withdraw with his whole
nation to the Mission at Refugio, because if they show themselves
here, the Colonists will avenge the death of their friends killed by
these Indians on the Colorado. Which disposition I report to you,
hoping that it will meet your Superior approbation.
Estevan F. Austin
Lieut. Col of Militia
San Felipe de Austin April 20, 1824-4th 3d-
Military Commandant of Texas