Summary: Has been compelled to abandon temporarily his settlement on the Colorado. Blames some of the settlers for the Indian troubles.
Nov 24 1828
Dear Sir
I have again been compelled to abandon my place above the La
Bahia road, much against my will I do assure You, So long as
the upper Settlement maintained their ground I did not dispair
being able to complete my mills; but after being deserted by my
neighbors I deemed it useless, and perhaps unsafe, to remain there
any longer;—however, I do not dispair of returning in a short
time—nothing within my power shall be wanting to reestablish a
Settlement at that place;—For this purpose I shall make such
proposals to those who wish to Settle in that part of the colony as
cannot fail being accepted by all who wish well to the country half
my land at that place will I give, if necessary, to effect this desirable
object—could the uper settlers view the importance of maintaining
that place in the same light that I do, I am sure they would be less
captious and hard to please than I am afraid will be found to be
the case—If that settlement is suffered to break up and disperse it
will be a misfortune to the colony that many years may not be able
to retrieve— The late visits of the Comanchas must be ascribed
to the misconduct and imprudence of some of the inhabitants
themselves, who for the sake of a little base dishonest self interest would
sink the colony in irretrieveable ruin—If some means could be
devised to keep the Tonkuays and Lapans from coming among us,
it is probable we should not be troubled with the Comanchas
unless they wish to commence unprovoked hostilities against us,—
Two Indians of the Shawneys tribe came to my place more than
a month ago, stayed with me several days and then started up the
river to explore the country of the San Sabo—They have not
returned at the time they appointed, which was last Wednesday,
Considering the punctuality of Indians in keeping such
appointments I think it very probable that they have been killed by the
Comanchas, as they are now in the country through which they
were to travel— These Shawneys had traveled a great deal through
the U. S. were men of considerable intelligence, and must have had
a good deal of influence with their nation— They said that if
they liked the upper country their people would commence settling
35 or 40 miles above the San Antonio road within three months
after their return—they left 58 deer skins, a little ammunition and
some other Indian trinkets with me—I have brought them away
and will leave them with Mr. Newman