San Antonio 23. August 1826.
Dr sir,
I came here last thursday evening in Company with your Brother
and others, your Brother, myself and others of the Company have
been very unwell tho we are all on the mend. Capt. Bowen and Mr.
Moor are also mending. There is considerable Sickness here amongst
the soldiers and inhabitants.
Your Brother has written you relative to the suspension of Genl
San Bernardo, and the appointment of your friend Bustemantas to
the office of Comt- General, in his stead—He has also given you all
the information that has been recd> here in relation to the Slaves
and Slave Law.
I am happy to learn that you have recovered your health; and
regret to hear that Mr. Williams has been so very sick—hope he has
ere this recovered.
Delion has Commited some atrocious Outrages on some American
travelers who were on the way here on business with the Govt-
What the result will be I am not able to say. I shall lay the
Memorial of Mr. Stout before the Chief to day relative to Delions
ill treating and robing of him.
I find the Chief to be a man of easy access, and is very afible with
me It appears that he (the chief) is Determined to Consider
Delion, An Empresario Over an undefined District for 40 familes;
and wishes the bounds between Dewitt and Delion to be agreed ou
between themselves.
I have proposed to let Delion Go Eastward to the Grassite [Gar-
citas], and up and Down the Guadalupe for quantity; giving to
Dewitt all the Labacca; but he will not make an order to that effect,
without the consent of Delion, or the consent of the Commissioner on
the part of Delion, who is not yet appointed. It appears to me that
Dewitt will have to appeal to the Govt to obtain his right; this
however will I presume Depend on the advice you may give on the
subject.
The Chief has promised to furnish the fee bill to me, to Day.
I am much indebted to your Brother for his polite attention, and
assistance here,
I have mentioned to the Chief the propriety of inviting fields to
partisipate in the War against the hostile Indians; he said that he
had written to him to come here and to bring his title papers to land
if he had any with a view to assertain the strength of his claim, and
to make some arrangements with him in assisting to Defend the
frontiers. He requested me to write fields on the subject by the first
oppertunity and urge him to come on. The mail leaves here to
morrow, and I somewhat expect I shall do so too; but I cannot say
when I shall be able to get to San felipe.
You will perceive from reading this that my mind is too weak and,
Ideas too scattering to write. A few nights ago I Dreamd, that the
last object of my hopes was laid beneath the Sod on the Gloomy hill
in the prairie near San felipe: This with other difficulties keeps me
in Despair
My Respects to Mr & Mrs pettes also Mrs Williams and Wightman
James Kerr
[Addressed:] Al Tente Coronl. Estevan F. Austin. En Sn. Felipe
de Austin