mersiowsky - 5-16-2015 at 01:37 PM
Serbin, Bastrop County, April 20, 1868
To his Excellency E. M. Pease
Governor of Texas
Austin, Tex.
Sir,
Some weeks ago, while in the discharge of my official duties as justice of the peace, I was attacked by a band of outlaws, who had broken into our
peaceable settlement, and severely wounded with a bowie knife by a certain Gorman, who with a number of men lives in the woods of this neighborhood
committing depredations upon the quiet and peaceable German settlers of this vicinity. I appealed through Capt. Porter to Gen. Reynolds for protection
and military assistance to arrest the offenders, but my petition was not noticed at headquarters. It may be proper to state here that it would be
impracticable to summon a posse of citizens as the gang of desperados is too numerous to be caught at once and the remaining outlaws with their
connections would certainly fall en masse upon every farmer who would obey such summons, when they find him alone in his field. It was therefore, that
I most respectfully asked Gen. Reynolds through Capt B. Porter, Sub Asst Commissioner of Bastrop County to send us a file of soldiers for the arrest
of murderers and assassins. We have patiently been waiting for these troops, but in vain. Capt Porter informs us that he has not received a reply to
the statement and petition sent by him to Headquarters and we have abandoned the hope that something will be done for our relief.
Allow me therefore, Governor, most respectfully to tender herewith my resignation as justice of the peace of this county, as I deem it incompatible
with right and honor to serve a government that with all the power at her command is unwilling to protect even her most humble public servant in the
discharge of his duties. Were I a General of this mighty republic and the Government would fail to protect me in my official duties I should
readily break her sword under my feet and throw it with contempt before my superiors. Were I a judge and the government would refuse to lend me her
strong arm to administer the law, I should trample upon my commission before I would be willing to dishonor the chair of justice.
I am only an humble magistrate. There is no salary connected with my office. It is merely the honor which every republican citizen should feel when
serving his country even in the capacity of a justice or constable, but such service becomes a dishonor if that government presents a deaf ear to the
appeals of her loyal officers.
Not doubting that the General commanding this District may soon find a citizen as my successor who may be willing to serve as magistrate under
existing circumstances I have the honor
to remain
Governor
your very obd’t s’vt
Andreas Kieschnick
Transcribed by Weldon Mersiovsky