Station at Labaca April 3rd 1827.
Dr sir
I am happy to hear of your return and hope your visit to
Nacogdoches has, and will result in much good to the Country.
We have lately had 2 visits to our station of the Coronkawases;
the first part had six, and the [second] twelve in number, they
professed great friendship to us and actually had it in their power
to have killed several of our people, as they came up to the station;
for they found one man and 2 boys 10 miles below here at work,
and actually were in their camp in a manner—before they were
discovered; a few miles above that they came to another labor in like
manner where there were a man and a woman; and hurt no one but
I am of opinion that they are only waiting a good opportunity to
make a break on our settlement, therefore we are constantly upon
our Guard; and so soon as we get our corn planted we will try to be
ready for them, and are determined that they must not come amongst
us—for since we have heard of the late murders in your colony it
is more than Americans can hear to suffer them to come under the
coulor of friendship when their hands are yet reeking with the blood
of Inosent women and children; and as we expect a campaign against
them from your quarter, I have thought it most advisable to keep
peace with them if possible untill that time; and being advised of
the time we can have it in our power to know where they are and
can give you 15 or 20 good brave men to assist in cuting them entirely
off. and If a Campaign is intended please to let me know that I
may know how to act.
Mr. Kerr is at la Bahia, but looked for every hour. I had news
from Gonzales yesterday 2 Blockhouses are well built and now
under the Command of Mr. Byrd Lockhart; all are in peace at that
place; and no Indian sign near that is known of.
Mr Monchola has not sent the ballance of my guns to me and the
individuals who own them, altho he has been ordered to do so and
it is greatly to the hurt of the owners as they want them to hunt
their meat as well as to guard themselves with.
Please write me and give me the news, as Mr Kerr and myself
are both anxious to hear from the N Eastward and S westward,—
G Dewitt [Rubric]
Col Stephen F Austin
P. S. Give the earliest notice you can if a campaign is intended
against the Corronks, that we may have time to prepare to Join you—¦
G. D.
[Addressed:] Col Stephen F Austin San Felipe de Austin Brassos
per Capt Russell