Gonzales Nov 3d 1835

Sir

As secretary of the Committee of safety for this municipality I have to address you upon a matter revolting to the feelings of every American not destitute of every moral principle. Yesterday the troops from Ayish Bayou arrived in this place, in consequence of the Boat being turned over to be put in a situation for service, the Troops were compelled to remain untill this morning. Last night a scene such as in all probability never was exhibited in any civilized country presented itself to us— Upon the Armys leaving this place not more than 12 Men and 3 or 4 guns were left most of the men were invalids, the balance of the population composed of women (whose Husbands are in the Army) and children, those men (The Ayish Bayou) entered private Houses, compelled women to leave their House with their Children and seek protection from their neighbours, Broke open doors. Robbed of Money clothing and every thing they could lay their hands on and dragged Dr Smithers from his bed and would have murdered him, but for the interferance of some one of the company who possessed some little more of the milk of human kindness than the balance— I am directed by the Committee to ask for a detachment of 20 men from the Main Army to protect this place and to assist in sustaining the forces as they come on Capt Johnson, English and Sublet can in all probabily give information as to the ringleaders in this Matter—

Jno Fisher Sec Com Safty Gonzales

N B The families of this place unless protected, are determined to risk the Indians, rather than such men as represented above, some of whom seem determined to remove at once, rather than risk the passing of the reinforcement coming on Jno F

[Addressed:] Genl Stephen F Austin Commander in Chief of the Texas forces Mission St Juan