San Felipe 16th October 1835

Genl Austin.

Dear Sir

The Prisioners arrived This evening Mr Jack says he cannot take them he thinks you didnot reflect on his unprepared situation to accommodate them and his time being entirely taken up with the Buisiness of the Land office, as such I must prepare them a Room, one being Liberated to go home on Parole as you request. Governor Zavala will direct the Treatment of the others I am told that this Very colonel had Zavala a prisioner once and Tantalized him how far this may Influence his feelings towards them I dont know but he will no doubt be willing to make them comfortable—The troops from Nacogdoches etc are expected to pass Washington soon you can have it as I have it from the representations given by Genl. Houston and others so far as they know I hope the force will be respectable

I must say something to you and to absent members of the Convention of Vital Importance to Texas—The members here are like Volunteers in Camp (Very Restless) and much is said about going home one by one each Plead their necesities some from the frontier are afraid of Indians on the Brazos others to the Eastward are not fully into the spirit of our times and are yet wanting some explanition I am proud to find only a few think that way but from what I learn their constituents are far behind in correct Information as to every thing, as for Instance to relative strength the Cause etc etc. the Land speculation subject is not yet satisfactory settled abroad as the Delegates say also that our Proceedings have not had general Circulation all these circumstances render it necessary If not Indispensable to so arrange that the members Return to Hold the Convention as Speedily as possible I think we can detain all but a few till about the 1st. Novr. after that it will require positive assurances of a meeting and that in a few days to stop them Is my belief, several persons Present urge me to be more Pressing on this subject believing that the confusion that would inevitably follow by a failure of the Present Convention would be the distruction of all our Hopes of Order and Certainty— Several Persons Remaining here will urge and will do everything in our Power but be assured it is all important to attend to it I think I would like to have you consult those who leave here tomorrow and have their Ideas on this subject.

The Indian Chiefs will I suppose be here soon I would like you to converse with Genl Houston on the subject and If you or you and the members out in service can Give any assurances to them to do so, I will as far as the Council has authority and will also Provide them comforts. Col. Pettus, will write you and send a Bill of Articles sent by the two wagons to leave in the morning I hope the Wagons from Columbia are on the Road before now.

We look for Capt Wm Hall who is authorised to contract for meal etc what he has done I dont know but suppose he has filled the Order—

R. R. Royal President of Council

the Cannon from Harrisburg has been badly managed and will be about two more days before it passes here from Columbia I learn two only have cariages—This morning the minority of the consultation met and adjourned till 1st Novr. or till a quorum to do buisiness Those who remain is to be joined with the Council R R R

17th 6 oclock A. M.