THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 1559 that proud name from the infamy which this Nacogdoches gang must cast upon it if they are suffered to progress- It is also our interest, most decidedly our interest to do the Same, for without reg- ular Government, without law, what security have we for our per• sons our property, our characters, and all that we hold dear and sacred 1 None, for we at once embark on the stormy ocean of an- archy, subject to be stripped by every wave of faction that rolls along, and must finally sink into the gulf of ruin and infamy- The occasion requires an effort on the part of the people of this colony, and to give it its full force I wish that it should be voluntary and unanimous, and I wish the inhabit.ants in the district of Vic- toria to meet and adopt such resolutions on this subject as their patriotism may suggest and to come out openly and above board in expressing their disapprobation of this Nacogdoches business and make an offer of their services to the Governor to March against the insurgents should it become necessary to do so-and then appoint a committee to wait on the Chief of Department with the respects of those inhabitants and to present the resolutions-such a thing will be done by every other part of the colony and will have a very happy influence on our future prosperity-I wish the men who voluntier to go on with the chief to be here as soon as they can conveniently prepare themselves for the trip, ten men from the district of vic- toria will be enough unless more wish to go, for it is a good and an honorable service I have no doubt that you will be active and prompt in this busine&<:1 and embrace the opportunity that is now presented with pleasure- Wishing you a happy New Year I remain very respectfully your friend and fellow citizen and recom- mend to you union and Mexico STEPHEN F. Aus'l'IN [Rubric]
THOYAS M. DUKE TO AUSTIN
Bay Prarie Jan" 3 4 1827
D SIR I received your letter by express last night and forwarded the Public communication that came with it immediately on to the Lower settlement of the Prarie. I was truly distressed at the contents I feel as I believe every man in the Prarie does a sincere wish to be of every service in our power for the support of the government but situated as we are in the Prarie it is not in our power to give much aid to the government at this time the smoke of the Karankawas is seen from my house every day Bett's establishment which is on the opposite side is broke up an~ this evening Jesse Robinson and
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