Port of Goliad, Oct. 27th 1835

9 o. c. in the morning.

To Gen. S. F. Austin

Com. in Ch. of the Army of the People,

Dear Sir,

Yours of the 23d. exs. [express] by hand of Mr. Bracken, was duly recd, last evening The information it gives is both cheering and stimulating. But whilst our mutual congratulations are called for by a rhetrospect of the past, whilst we indulge bright visions of the future, permit me to express to yourself, the lively sympathy felt by every one here, for their fellows, suffering so many privations, whilst contending for their rights. We have done, are doing, and shall continue to do, every thing in our power, to supply your wants, and diminish your privations—

It was confidently anticipated when Majr. Collinsworth left for your camp, that, the teams could have been put in motion yesterday—but we found it impossible. The teams and carts below, and especially those at the Mission, had been sent to Guardeloupe with the women and children; and we have had to send there for them. However, we have succeeded in mustering 8 carts and waggons—all of which, will be dispatched today, with full freight, and the corresponding List transmitted by hand of Maj. Southerland, the Bearer of this letter.

I much regret that it becomes my duty to inform you, that, the report of Williams and Toole having been dispatched prisoners of war to Matamoros, from the Garrison of Le Panteclan, is now but too well confirmed, to admit of a doubt. They were sent off, a week ago last Sunday. Toole was in very bad health, and in preference to transportation to a distant dungeon, there to linger out a mere fragment of existence, requested that he might be dispatched at once. The confirmation of this news, after the lenity shown to the prisoners taken here, could not fail to create a lively, and a strong excitement.

The men under my command are clamorous for retaliation, either by clothing with suits of iron, those in our power; or by marching immediately against the garrison, and reducing it to unconditional submission, or putting it to the sword.

I have had a flag made—the colours, and their arrangement the same as the old one—with the words and figures, "Constitution of 1824," displayed on the white, in the centre.

Regular rations of flour, sugar and Coffee, have been ordered to be issued to the poor, of the families from the Mission at Guardeloupe.

Measures are taken to procure the earliest information of any important occurrence at Copano.

I have great satisfaction in communicating the intelligence of our having succeeded in calling the Karankawa Indians in from the work of destruction which they had commenced among the stock, on the Navidad and Guardeloupe. We have engaged them to remain neutral during the present contest, and to retire to the Banks of the Sn. Antonio, till the pleasure of the Com. in Ch. shall have been communicated to them, in such manner as he may dictate. I enclose herewith for your perusal and gratification, several letters from Monterey, and an anonymous paper by Dr. Grant, to the people of Texas; all delivered to me last evening, by Sen Jose Abendano, of that City. The earliest intelligence of every thing important with you, will greatly releive, and oblige, Sir,

P. Dimitt Comd [Rubric]

[Addressed:] No. 1. To Gen. S. F. Austin Com. in Ch. of the Army of the People Head Quarters.