18 July 1826
Dear Sir
I have just learnt (Indirectly) that you have old Roe in custody
and that you inte[n]ded keeping him so until you should hear my
opinion as to what tribe of Indians committed the hostilities on the
Guadaloupe etc.
I have to presume that you ear this have been satisfactorily
informed by Mr. Wightman on the subject—I however will state that
there is not a doubt of its haveing been the Wakows that attacked my
house and killd Whightman.
There is some doubt as to the tribe that that party belonged to that
attacked Dirben, in as much as they had been encamped several Days
near the place where they shot at Derbin and tho. they were not
trailed from the place, after that they had taken the Horses—yet
there was on the next morning a trail discovered by Mr. phillips in
the road west of my house and leading to a crossing of the river-
He followed it, and discovered that 4 horse and one mule had made
said trail and that he believed the mule track to be mine as there
was a Gap in one of hir fore feet—Colo. Matson and E. Smith crossed
the river some days after and followed said trail to where it took a
Direct course for Laberdee—Mr. Smith's statement as to the number
of horses and the mule coresponded with what phillips had stated.
I did on the first view of the premisis suspect that the party that
fired on Derbin had been of the main body that killd mr. Wightman;
but I am of a Different opinion now, and admit a faint probibelity
that it was the Tankawas that attacked Derbin. I admit this because
they must have been a foot party; the horses and mule crossing the
trail of the other party and that too on a direction to the crossing well
known to the tankawas and near to my house; and the trail being
made while the due was on, a Monday mor[n]ing.
I am unable to give an Idea relative to Roe. Admit however that
his intentions were bad, he has not been with the tankawas since he
made threats that I know of; tho I conceive him ameanable to the
Laws for those threats in point of "Malice aforethought."
It is as yet uncertain what day I shall see you, but I presume not
many—Derbin is on the men[d] ; the other man Mr. Shields I have
rather Dispaired of—
Note. Excuse haste.
James Kerr
19th I wrote least night 10 o'clock—now I can rite shields is
better.
[Addressed:] Colo. S. F. Austin St. Felipe de Austin Capt.
Dickson.