THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 1343 . The accompanying copies of my communications to the Military Commander will apprize your Lordsh_ip •of the news relative to the Tahuacanoes, and of my consequent dispositions. I consider it highly important that your Lordship and the Military Commander should write to the Cherokees, Alabamas and Cushates, and to the Alcaldes and Captains of the Militia of Nacogdoches and the Trinity, to join us in the contemplated war. • After Captain Ross' encounter with the Indians on the Colorado, I ordered a small log fortification to be erected there, for the pro- tection of the families in case of an invasion: the people of that section went to work very industriously and it is completed. I shall order other works of a similar character to be erected at the cross- ing on the Brazos of the road to Bexar, and probably here, provided the war is continued for any length of time, as we are all determined to defend ourselves and the Country even if the whole Comanche nation come upon us. If the government can supply us with ammu- nition, 150 escopets, 150 pistols, and 150 sabres it will be an important addition, also six cannon of small caliber two for Each settlement. Relative to colonization the business of the first Colony has not ·been completed, owing to th~ protracted absence of the Commis- sioner; there are some complaints about it, and difficulties are likely to arise. This reason, and the fact that 12othing as yet has been done towards the commencement of the new Colony, has caused the in- habitants to petition me not to take the field and expose my person until their business is settled; which induced me not to take com- mand of the party who were sent out to protect the frontier. Respecting the administration of justice, we had, on the 1■t In- stant, a suit which lasted seven days. The plaintiff was Imla Keep and the defendant Jared E. Groce. The case being important I called together twelve good men. residents of the Colony, as Jurymen, to hear the evidence and decide upon it, and after a laborious examina- tion of several witnesses for both parties, the decision of eleven of the jurymen was in favor of the plaintiff, Imla Keep, and I approved their verdict. The defendant, Groce was much dissatisfied, and he will; probably, appeal to the government. The affair that occurred between him and the Administrator Don Juan Veramendi at Bexar, will give your Lordship an idea of his character. The people in this colony, are now, more satisfied and united, live in greater harmony and display more industry than they have ever clone before from its commencement. I request your Lordship to take into considern.tion my proposals to the Military Commander in relation to the Cherokee, Cusho.tes, and Alabamo.s, and the Militia of Nacogdoches and the Trinity. If you approve them, I beg you will send me letters addressed to· those 25067°-24--VOL 2, PT 2-22
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