Gonzelas Nov 4 1835
TO the commander and cheaf stephen F. auston
Dear Sir I Regret to bee compeld to address you on such a savage and
hostile Conduct as was commitd by some of the troops that past this place
on yesterday or rather come into the place on yesterday after beeing
guilty of all the bad conduct and Language that Sivelize beeing could put
up with, after Night there ware a mass Rased among them with a young
Mr thompson at the head of them ho can bee degnated [designated?] by
nombers of the men and broke open all most Every house in town and
Robed all that they could Lay ther hands on and such Insults wire never
offerd to american women before thire is no tribe of savages or Mexicans
that would be guilty of such conduct after working on the boat until
9 or 10 oclock and finding the mob in town Mrs Dickerson ho had been
drivin from her house cald on me to go and stay in her house to protect
her person and property
after goind to Bead thiy Enterd the house twice by bursting Evry door
and window and coming in crowds and dragd me into the Streats and beat
my head to a poltice and would have kild me in the most torturing manner
for no caws on earth but that I was in the house I used Evry means to
pasefy them but the wild savage would have adherd with more humility
I Refur you to Evry sober and honable man in this place what my conduct
has bean as Regards using Every means day and night to ade and assist
Evry man that has past this place and If the authority of this army dos not
take some steps to stop such conduct the wild savages would be preferable
to the Insults of such Caneblos [cannibals] it appears to have the case
more or less as for as I can here back [sic] I was placed here by your
orders and have adhered to them strictly day and night and if ther is not
sum stop put to it this place will bee Intirely abandoned.
L. Smither [Sic]
a List of damages
thomas R Millers store broken ope and a bout $100 and all his clothing
and a newe hat togathe with all most all the clothes that I Had which
was new
M Williams 2 fin coats
1 Blanket
1 Long Bufelow skin
S Smith [illegible]
3 Large Blankets
... is a small part that is sade to be taken all most Evry house in
the place broken open and Robd
L. Smither
The tales that I Rote you was Rite I scarsely know my head from my
heals
[Addressed:] Jeneral Stephen F Austen comander in cheaf at head
quarter