And now, my dear Sir, as, from whaL l have heard of you, there is no person in Texas who I would be more likely lo interest in the cause of humanity than yourself, I confidently trust that, the motives which dictate this, finding a ready response in your bosom, you will take a little trouble lo find out whether my Brother be alive and well, or otherwise James being an old settler must be pretLy well known along the Colorado but it is likely he is best known amongst the settlers If you would be kind enough Lo reply to Lhis I should be very my obliged to you
I ! I ,,
Wm. McNair, 750 Greenwich Street
I • • I I, I
[Addressed:] General Stephen F Austin of Texas
Care of Mr. James W Breedlove Collector New
Orleans
(4072] LRILEY to GAINES]
Camp Sabine, (Louisiana,) August 24, 1836. General: I have the honor to report that, agreeably lo instructions, I have ,isited four of the Caddo villages or settlements, and saw about one hundred and twenty or thirty men of Lhe different villages, wiLh their families. They informed me Lhat one of Lhe chiefs and his band were oul hunting, about the Cross-timbers, or Sulphur fork; I gave them a friendly Lalk, which is herewith enclosed, (marked A,) as also their answer, (marked B.) They appeared very much pleased wilh the talk you sent them, and promised lo fallow your advice, and said they wished you would send oftener. They appeared lo be very peaceably disposed, and it is my opinion that they never were otherwise; and if they have commilled some small depreciations on the inhabitants, or their property, it was occasioned by the Loo free use of whiskey, which appears lo be in great abundance in and about their villages. The head chief was under the influence of liquor when I arrived, and I had to wait until next morning ere I could talk to them. Nearly aU their eounh~nances denole Lhe loo free use of ardent spirits; and it is my opinion they think of lillle else. If liquor could be kept out of their country, or they kept from drinking it, I think Lhen~ would be an end lo d1:pr1~dalions on their parl. They appear lo be a poor, mis,~rable people, incapable of th,~smallest exertion, either as il rcirards livinlT, or any LhinlT els,~, exce1JL liquor. The ~ n b
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