Station on the Labaca 26th febuary 1827
Dear sir
I am sorry to be the herrold of bad news—Baptist Lacount came
here 2 days since who states that a very large band of Comanches,
and Weehoes, had attacked Cahoe's party of the lepans, and nearly
all the tonkowas, on the San Marcos rio about 9 miles above the Town
of Gonzalez—that the lepans and tonkowas were whiped with the
loss of 5 or 600 horses, and that they retreated down the river—some
of them (the lepans) are now at Delions—the fort at Gonzales was
not finished, and what few men was there were in greate danger—
some of them talke'd of leaving the place, another defeat in
attempting to settle the Sn Marks if not already, will soon take place.
Inclosed you will have some certificates—I have call'd on the Colo,
to make out certificates relative to . . . guns, and those that were in
his charg, but [he has] not done so.
The people here seeme industrious, and are useing much exertions
to plant corn etc they are all in good health. They are anxious that
the Colo, should appoint some person as an agent in fact to manage
his business------think of this------and perhaps you had better write to
him—
We have had a great [d]eal of rain; so much that we can not plant:
James Kerr
Note Please write to me by the first opportunity
[Addressed:] Colo S. Austin San felipe de Austin Care of Major
Philips Colorado
26th February Capt Lockhart has just came from Gonzales and
[states] that, he quit surveying and joined the settlers and assisted in
building the fort—that they resolved to keep the place etc and that
they [are] planting corn there. Be will return tomorrow. Could a
small piece of arteary [artillery] be obtained from the Govt, it
would no doubt be of great utility to that place—would be glad if
you would mention this to His Excellency the Chief of the
Department.
James Kerr