1560
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
Thomas January ,,;,}10 were over there saw a. smoke made in the edge of the timber not more than a mile below Betts's house. A few days since Jesse Robinson saw fresh Indian sign a short distance from Betts house .Mr. ,villiams and Alcalde ordered a campn.ign I attended at Betts's according to appointment and we could raise but 12 men from the sauciness of the Indians in their remaining so long near us we have every reason to believe they are in force so we did not deem it prudent to attack them with so small a force It is absolutely ne~essary my dear sir that some tseps should be taken and that immediately against those Indians if we do not drive them away they will drive us I have no earthly doubt but they are not more than ten miles from my house and have been there a month. I think it necessary that you should order a campaign and if possible select some men for officers whom the men will obey the Present officers are good young men but the men have not the respect or con- fidence in them that soldiers ought to have for their officers and I am afraid as long as they command in this district that calls for campaign will not be complied with. I know my dear sir that you can say if men are not willing to protect themselves why let them suffer, but you likewise recollect the Fable of the Belly and the mem- bers there is a part of the district who are not in as great danger as ourselves I do not mean to Insinuate that they are not as will- ing as ourselves to turn out but they as well as the rest of the district would turn out better if better commanded as this is a time of danger not only to our state but to our Individual safeties I would suggest as I believe the officers do not attend to it that those men who do not comply with the .calls made should be fined and that pretty heavily. In your letter to me you wished me to volunteer to go on with the Governor I am perfectly willing to do so but I should advise a cam- paign against those Indians first for without they are driven away I consider myself as well as my property and those below me in the most imminent danger I go tomorrow up to Mr. Simm's to the meeting and shall write to you fully the sentiments of the people about the Iish Bayou business THos M. DuKE [Rubric] [Addressed:] Coln Stephen F Austin St. Felipe de Austin Brassos
RANDAL JONES TO AUSTIN
Fort Settlement
3rd January 1827
DEAR SIR I received yours of the first which requested me to convene the neighbours which will be done as near us the time will permit Your
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