Gonzelas Nov 4 1835

TO the commander and cheaf stephen F. auston

Dear Sir I Regret to bee compeld to address you on such a savage and hostile Conduct as was commitd by some of the troops that past this place on yesterday or rather come into the place on yesterday after beeing guilty of all the bad conduct and Language that Sivelize beeing could put up with, after Night there ware a mass Rased among them with a young Mr thompson at the head of them ho can bee degnated [designated?] by nombers of the men and broke open all most Every house in town and Robed all that they could Lay ther hands on and such Insults wire never offerd to american women before thire is no tribe of savages or Mexicans that would be guilty of such conduct after working on the boat until 9 or 10 oclock and finding the mob in town Mrs Dickerson ho had been drivin from her house cald on me to go and stay in her house to protect her person and property

after goind to Bead thiy Enterd the house twice by bursting Evry door and window and coming in crowds and dragd me into the Streats and beat my head to a poltice and would have kild me in the most torturing manner for no caws on earth but that I was in the house I used Evry means to pasefy them but the wild savage would have adherd with more humility I Refur you to Evry sober and honable man in this place what my conduct has bean as Regards using Every means day and night to ade and assist Evry man that has past this place and If the authority of this army dos not take some steps to stop such conduct the wild savages would be preferable to the Insults of such Caneblos [cannibals] it appears to have the case more or less as for as I can here back [sic] I was placed here by your orders and have adhered to them strictly day and night and if ther is not sum stop put to it this place will bee Intirely abandoned.

L. Smither [Sic]

a List of damages

thomas R Millers store broken ope and a bout $100 and all his clothing and a newe hat togathe with all most all the clothes that I Had which was new

M Williams 2 fin coats

1 Blanket

1 Long Bufelow skin

S Smith [illegible]

3 Large Blankets

... is a small part that is sade to be taken all most Evry house in the place broken open and Robd

L. Smither

The tales that I Rote you was Rite I scarsely know my head from my heals

[Addressed:] Jeneral Stephen F Austen comander in cheaf at head quarter