| Dispatches from U.S. Consuls in Texas | |
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Source: Microfilm H-108, Corpus Christi Public Library, Corpus Christi, Texas. Please
note that I have left a blanks where the handwriting was not
legible. There were spots of ink on the paper and places where the
paper was torn, and this made the
letter difficult to transcribe. All punctuation and spelling are
as they appear in the letter. |
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| David
Dickson April 25, 1827 |
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Rec'd 24 June
Sir I sailed from New Orleans on the 24th of February last for the mouth of the Brasos [Brazos] River and arrived at San Felipe de Austin on the 13 of the month following. Col. Austin and the political chief had gone to the Eastward to Settle the affairs of the Fredonian Republic. I remained Eighteen days for their return and departed Without an interview with either. on my way from San Felipe here the Indians stole my horses and I was Twelve days Confined at Guadaloupe [Guadalupe] de Victoria with a Severe Inflammatory Rheumatism. I arrived here on the 22nd Instant in bad health, with an escort of Twenty men from La Bahia Espiritu Santos. at the latter place I saw Gen'l Bustamente and his staff, he offered me every civility and eagerly enquired after the manners customs habits etc of our Countrymen. He is ind___ing to assemble an Army to operate against the Comanche Indians. This tribe are every week or two committing murders and theft upon the Inhabitants and I regret to say, with Im___ly, the Soldiers are very unlike our Countrymen. The name of a Comanche strikes terror to their Souls. It is no less a fact that five or six Americans travel where they please with their long rifles. This is a Small village very securely built and the Public works are...a State of dilapidation the commerce is nothing, Comparatively speaking. There will be some trade carried on between New Orleans and Matagorda, Brasos [Brazos] & Trinity. The consular appointments should have been made for Texas and a direction given the Consul to reside at one of the above places. The Government of this provence [sic] is a administered at Saltillo the Political Chief, so called, who resides here is a mere organ through whom communications are made to the authorities of Saltillo. I will remain until October and hope by that time to hear from you. the office If confined to this Interior Spot is not worth one farthing. The Schooner Rising Sons [sic] was cast away on Cat Fish bar on this Coast on the 15th of March (I think) She was commanded by Collins and owned by Byrnes [Byrne] of New Orleans. She was in ballast, bound homeward, crew sa__d. So soon as my health is better I will be more explicit. I have the honour Respectfully |
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