San Felipe de Austin Octr. 27th 1835
Genl. S. F. Austin
Dear Sir
By Mr Hufman a member from Nacogdoches I write you the particulars
of Information before us at this time mostly contained in a Letter from the
Committee of Nacogdoches, a copy of which I forward you by this
conveyance together with Resolutions (you will find in our last Paper) of
Citizens of Nachitoches, at a Genl Public meeting in which you will see a
very Liberal Sentiment prevails in the U. States toward us—Our Coreo
[mail] from Nacogdoches says the People of the Red Lands Intend to send
on more help still and 60 men have also been expected from Bevil
Settlement other Reinforcements may also be expected from other Quarters, and
from all you will Readyly see you will have nothing to Loose by
remaining Secure in your Present Position, untill other Reinforcements, shall
arrive and on the contrary every thing favourable to our cause may be
expected by waiting untill we can make a secure attact confidently believing
that for the next 3 months the longer we delay the easier the conquest on
act. of the Genl. Increase of Numbers on our side.
We have answered the Citizens of Nachitoches through their Chairman
in a very respectfull maner and Earnestly solicited that Immediate aid so
nobly offered we have also through the same chanels address'd a feeling
and exciting appeal to the Citizens of the U. States Generally we have
had Copies, of Mr Dimitts Letter Printed with Suitable urgent solicitations
on the People of Texas to turn out and Repair to Camp at head Quarters,
and an earnest call upon those who have been misguided by the designing
to remain inactive Informing them that while the Convention is rewarding
those who so Bravely defend our cause they will not fail to Impose upon
those who refuse the reward due their crime We have also taken the
Responsability of appointing Mr T. F. McKinney as General Agent to repair
to N Orleans and negotiate (under instructions) for the Loan of $100 000
We have our fears of the success as we find in N. Orleans, Bee and the
Resolutions of the meeting at Nachitoches urging our declaration of
Independence as a necessary step to the procuring of aid from the Citizens of the
U. States. Mr McKinneys Instructions, are to learn the probable success
before his Buisiness is declared or made public. I hope Mr McKinney will
Accept and If he fails in negotiating a loan he will no doubt be able to
Raise considerable by Contributions as Well as have a tendency to Raise
Volunteers at that Place a man has gone below to forward the Large
Cannon, Ball and Powder I sincerely hope he will succeed. Mr W S. Hall
is on the Guadaloupe Raising Beaves, and getting meal. Mr Baird is here
collecting as many as 100 If he can in this Quarter. You will properly
communicate with Mr Hall as Contractor at Gonzales on the subject of
Meal and Beef for the Army—We do not know how the convention will
look upon this step of ours to Borrow Money to So Large an amt. but I
would ask what will we do shall be wait until we are destitute and have
not a dollar to pay an Express and suffer defeat for fear of Creating
Responsibilities or should we assume the authority to do all and every thing
necessary to carry the designs of our friend in the field in to Effect to Give
them Bread Meat Arms, amunition clothing and Reinforcements from
abroad we have been already accused of transcending our Powers If we
have we have the Conscientious Convictions of having but one Aim to save
texas and Protect our Wives and children complaints from the East made
through their delegates state that Persons are engaged in taking up choice
lands to the Prejudice of those in the field. I have had nothing to say in
the matter myself as an Individual, yet I on reflection approve of the
Resolution to suspend all land entries till the meeting of the consultation when
as we Give assurances in Our resolutions, those who serve in the Army shall
be provided for on terms perfectly satisfactorily to their wishes. We have
written to them to come down here. They are friendly We are told that
Roag [Rueg] the Political [chief] at Nacogdoches has ordered out the
Mexicans in that Quarter in behalf of the Constitution.
[Addressed:] Genl. S. F. Austin Commander in Chief Head Quarters