San Felipe 18th October 1835 (Sunday)
Genl Austin
Dear Sir
Some members have been aded to day to our Council by late Arrivals
to the Consultation and some have obtained leave of absence. Our Present
Members are about 16.
We have taken upon us in the present times (Pregnant as they are with
Emergencies) some Responsibilities, agents from the upper settlements,
have arrived and we have dispatched them with Commissions, and
Instructions, to three Captains one to act as Ranger with ten men east of Trinity
one with 25 between the Brazos and Trinity and one with 25 between the
Colorado and Brazos offering $1.25 pr day to each Ranger till Otherwise
Provided by the Consultation. We will dispatch to N. and Ayish Bayou
tomorrow a delegation to, the Chiefs of the Indians and the American
setters with Circulars Printed for their Information and signed by the whole
House, in these we declare an opposition to the Great land speculation etc.
tell them our true situation and urge them to turn out. On the part of the
Indians we Delegate to our Commissioners the Power to council with them
and give Pledges of the Public faith to Respect their rights to land with
assurances, that the convention will conform. This I am confident is at
least as far as was Intended to be delegated to us, but the times seem to
require it, as to the part the Indians will act the Com. are Instructed to
assertain and be Governed by Circumstances, we hear Rumours here of there
being only 40 men coming from that Quarter and of threats from the
Indians but it is only Rumour The Chiefs have not arrived nor are they
heard of. I have been urged to go myself But I believe it will be over
ruled as I think is best, and Esqr. Garrett of the Red Lands Mr Hood and
Mr Menard will be apointed it will be disposed of this evening, the
cannon is here and perhaps tomorrow we will be able to get two yoke of
Oxen to take it on Capt Wm. Hall left today to go to Gonzales or
Colorado to forward corn Meal to head quarters. You should I think be more
full about supplies for a long time and say how much—Members from
Cow Bayou and that Quarter say there will be 40 men from that way
tonight or in a few days. On the subject I wrote you relative to Jno
Williams I would think—on reflecting more, had best be well matured before
we act and the present press for .men and uncertainty every where of
Immediate success it may be best not to proceed as I proposd or not till the
convention meets but be that with you.
The Prisioners are here and I think it Doubtfull yet whether the
Council will consent to the Captains release unless by request of Capt Collins-
worth as they say he would be reasonably, mortified and that If they get
liberty and the like occur On us we can not effect an Exchange but would
be Imprisoned. They have the liberty of the town.
If you still desire it please write again or a word from Capt C. or your
statement of his,wish, the subject will be submitted tomorrow to the house.
R. R. Royall President of Council
19th Octr 1835
Some troops have arrived from the Trinity and Col Pettus says, he will
be able to forward the cannon to day. 5 Wagons have been dispatched
from Columbia and 2 from here with provisions Arms and Amunition
under charge of Geo. Huff with a Guard of 10 men. Genl Briscoe has
arrived from Mississippi Via Nacog. he says he counted 80 men leaving
Nacog. but citizens Generally said 150 as also John Dust stated the same.
Esqr Garrett thinks he will be abble to turn out more of this you can be
informed by Gentlemen from that Quarter who know him and his
associates Hood and Menard they are alive to the cause and will do their
Best. Genl Briscoe States that Jno Dust said he had talked with the
Cherokees and other associate tribes and they Intended to be neutral also
that his opinion was that If we were Vanquished they would turn against
us. that at Present some of their families are gone out Hunting appearing
Entirely Indifferent. It will be one or two days before our Commissioners
can leave on act. of not being able to get the Printing done sooner, since
my last a few days ago I find the members here by being kept Buisy are
More Contented and will Probably continue so and depart only with leave
till those in the army may find it advisable to return. But I think it will
be necessary for you to state the wish of those in camp how far we may
consistently with their Views go in matters necessary to the forwarding of
our Views to cause protection of the Army and security of the frontier.
R. R. Royall
Some days since I wrote to Matagorda to Fisher the Present Chairman
of Com. to forward 10 sacks coffee some shugar 5 Sacks salt and what
Powder they could spare from the place—I hope he will attend to it.
R. R. R.