I inclose to your Lordship the original and translation of an
application of Burrel J. Thompson of the District of Nacogdoches, for
authority to raise a company of mounted volunteers to assist in
defending this frontier, and two other papers on the same subject, which
he sent to me to be translated. These volunteers have offered me their
services, through Thompson, to fight our Indian enemies. I have
informed them that I was not authorized to accept their offer, unless it
is made through the Alcalde of their District, or with your Lordship's
previous sanction.
I am fully aware that there are many cavilling men, disposed to
complain of the authorities without cause, and, even, to interfere with
them. As I am not acquainted with all the reasons that induced the
Alcalde to prohibit the organization of that company, I cannot give
a decisive opinion on the subject; but from what I could learn of the
character and intentions of these men, I see no impropriety in
allowing them to form a company, and I have no doubt that it would be
advisable to accept their services to fill the place of the sixty men
whom the Alcalde has [been] ordered to furnish me with in an
emergency. But your Lordship will be better able to judge. I have
submitted this subject to your Lordship at the request of the parties
interested, on account of their ignorance of the Spanish language,
and not with an intention to interfere with the business of the
District of Nacogdoches.
I have also received from the people of the Trinity a verbal tender
of their services against the Indians should they be required; I
answered them that I had no authority to accept them without your
Lordship's consent.
There is no doubt when the cold season sets in that the Indians will
attack us, and I consider it important to be ready for them in time.
God and Liberty.
Stephen F. Austin.
San Felipe de Austin, August 11th 1826.