Department of Texas Sabine Aug 13. 1825
Col. Steven F. Austin
Dr. Sir your favr by Mr. G D Collier came to hand but not by
him, when he arive at the naches he found Robt Collier were in
the pursuit of him and offered a Reward of a negro for his scalp
[He had ?] sent an Indian and a set of cut throats, on the Lower
Rout after him, he then Turnd his course up through the Cherokees
and passd above and fell in at cantoonment Jessup it is said he
applied to Col. Maurice (?) for protection and it was Refusd he
passd on safe but Did not apply here for the ballance Robt Collier
has threatened my Life because I Did not Let him know G D
Collier was Going to the Brassos for them negroes, and has Ever
since He has (?) OQuin which you ordered from the Brassos and
a number Like him about him to stand against the authority, on
the 11th of Inst. I calld a meeting of the people to Establish ways
and means for keeping peace, they met nearly unanimously, which
amounted to upwards of 40 and formd and assignd the following
Resolutions
first to support the Federal and State Constitutions
secondly to obey the Laws of General Government as well as
that of the State and aid the mexican authorities to Enforce the
same
thirdly [Not to] suffer to Reside nor harbour or be harboured in
said District Criminals Vagrants Rogues or Disorderly Characters
under the penalty of forfeiting all Right of Ever becoming a
Mexican Citizen
I then organized them into a Company of militia Elected militia
officers to Enforce the same
while we were ingaged in this George W Collier had come out
of curiosity to se our force
Captn A. B. Gill arive here from Rapide and made oath that
James Collier and George Colliers (Brothers of R Collier had had
in their possession three negro men which had been stolen from
him, G W Collier was immediately Taken and confessed
Voluntarily that they had them at yocanis East [of] the Sabine and that
they should be given up as well as others from Rapide (in my
absence those negroes were harbourd at R Colliers by James and
G. W. Collier)
they Left here with Collier under a strong Guard for yocanis in
pursuit of the negroes,
I am this moment, informd they found no negroes that they are
hid and that the Guard Caught another Rogue by the name of
Steven Jackson and this morning whipt him and Collier until they
told where the negroes were, and that the Guard was again in
pursuit, So much for Alabama Rogues, our meeting has Raised
their ambition on the other side of Sabine and they have
Commenced Runing Rogues
The inclosed will inform you of one stolen negro which has this
spring arive on the Brassos which I will be Responsible for all
Costs and Damages If I Do not have the Charges substanciated I
will inform you from time to Time until I again Conquer the
Rogues,
Jas Gaines [Rubric]