[1693] [WILLIAMS to BARRETI]
La Vacca River Jany 2d. 1836
Dr Col.
I embrace this oppertunity to send you a few lines-I recd your letter of introduction from Mr. Barrnel to whom I extended all the politeness that was in my power, imperious circumstances required me to proceed lo this river to procure teams to haul my goods to a Markel as 4 or 5 thereabouts were about to send goods to the same market-on my arrival here I learnt that the independent flae: had been raised at goliad & Bexar, under those circumstances the time that we are looseing is verry precious as in my opinion 6 weeks wiU not elapse until Bexar & Goliad is beseiged by the enemy-they will wait on the rio grande a short time lo concentrate, and entrap any detachment, that may be sent to take Matamoros and so soon as they learn that we are not coming to M, they march against Bexar & goliad and perhaps at the same time send in troops by sea to excite the negroes & take possession of our ports-I learned that Bexar is in a bad situation to stand a siege or even to repel an enemy, as they are in want of provisions & more particularly amunition-& Cannon balls, plenty of cannon has been taken hut we want, grape, canister, chain, double headed, & bar shot, and if I can sell what goods I have & gel to Bexar in time there is materials there plenty to cast & make shot & shels sufficient for one ton of powder-I now have in my charge 13 Kegs of rifle powder, some Lead &c that I am now trying to haul to Camp immediately-. the citizens of this part country have become individually responsible for two Barrels of Flour to be sent lo B. and there is 70 more in the hands of Peter Carr-he wishes to dispose of it but will not take govt. security, but he al the same time introduced with a month 4 or 5000 worth of goods and has not paid any duty on them-Capt Hatch Mr. Clare-& Dr. Wells have given their individual notes payable in 30 days to l\fr C, for the 10 Barrels of ·flour for the Army-and I now am trying lo raise by subscriptions a sufficient amt. lo buy the ballance 70 Barrels-700$-if it is not done, & any will follow me the flour shall be pressed for our starving Countrymen in Bexar So soon as as I can dispose of the goods I will remit to you a portion of the proceeds & the ballance for Texas-please have me stationed at Bexar as that place will be first attacked & the hardest ficrhti1w there-All the powder that was in Matap:orcla is now in my I:) I:) •
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