Gonzales Nov 3d 1835
Sir
As secretary of the Committee of safety for this municipality I have to
address you upon a matter revolting to the feelings of every American not
destitute of every moral principle. Yesterday the troops from Ayish
Bayou arrived in this place, in consequence of the Boat being turned over
to be put in a situation for service, the Troops were compelled to remain
untill this morning. Last night a scene such as in all probability never
was exhibited in any civilized country presented itself to us— Upon the
Armys leaving this place not more than 12 Men and 3 or 4 guns were left
most of the men were invalids, the balance of the population composed of
women (whose Husbands are in the Army) and children, those men (The
Ayish Bayou) entered private Houses, compelled women to leave their
House with their Children and seek protection from their neighbours,
Broke open doors. Robbed of Money clothing and every thing they could
lay their hands on and dragged Dr Smithers from his bed and would have
murdered him, but for the interferance of some one of the company who
possessed some little more of the milk of human kindness than the
balance— I am directed by the Committee to ask for a detachment of 20 men
from the Main Army to protect this place and to assist in sustaining the
forces as they come on Capt Johnson, English and Sublet can in all
probabily give information as to the ringleaders in this Matter—
Jno Fisher Sec Com Safty Gonzales
N B The families of this place unless protected, are determined to risk
the Indians, rather than such men as represented above, some of whom
seem determined to remove at once, rather than risk the passing of the
reinforcement coming on Jno F
[Addressed:] Genl Stephen F Austin Commander in Chief of the Texas
forces Mission St Juan