Executive Office


30th Nov 1857

Gentlemen of the Senate


and House of Representatives

Information has been received at this


office, that a train of carts, from San Antonio to the


Coast, driven by Mexicans, and under the charge of


Mr. Wm. Pyron, an American, encamped on the night


of the 20th inst, on Yates Creek, the next morning while


the Mexicans were getting up their oxen. They were


assaulted and fired upon by a party of armed men, and


two of them were killed.

No blame whatever attaches to Capt. Nelson or the


company under his command, as Mr. Pyron did not


apply to them for an escort. It is understood that he pre-


ferred to go without an escort, in consequence of assurances


of safety that had been given him by parties in Karnes


and Goliad Counties, he having previously made a


trip without molestation.

After this misfortune Mr. Pyron returned to the


Cibolo, where Capt. Nelson's Company were encamped,


and applied for and received an escort for his train.

It is painful to have to record such acts of violence,


and a subject of deep mortification that the law places


no means in my power to prevent them. Such outrages


cannot occur and pass unpunished in a country where


the Officers and the mass of the people entertain a pro-


per respect for the laws. And it becomes a matter for


your consideration, whether the citizens of a country that


permits such acts to be done with impunity, should


not be compelled to pay a heavy pecuniary penalty.


This would, without doubt arouse them to the necessity


of preserving the public peace.

It is now very evident that there is no security for