July [15 about] 1826. on Colorado

Col. S. F. Austin

Dear sir

You will haeve heard of the Disaster on the Guadalupe by Mr. Whigtman. I wish to see you but am Confined with the wounded man and Mr. Shields who—is very dangerously ill—Should like to heare from you and what is to be done etc. I hope to be at St. felippe in 8 or 10 days—Should Dewit have not then arrive [d], I shall set out for St. Antonio—I wish to engage your thoughts on the subject of my establishing on the Rio Bacca. My claim now (as the repre- sentative of the Empresario) to settle that River is two fold greater than heretofore) first because there is not Territory sufficient without it; and secondly because I can not with the force I have sustain the upper settlement Please think of this

James Kerr