1128
AlVIERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
Manuel <le l\Iier y Terfrn to Austin, Matamoros, March 21, 1S31. .Agrees with Austin concerning tonnage duties in Texas ports and will give the neces• sary orders. Surprised tlrnt Austin has made a new colonization contract. Can not fill it with Americans and very expensive to get Europeans. Rivalry of Gal\"eston ancl Matagorda. lfrancis W. Johnson to Austin, March 21, 1831. Report of proceedings of the ayuntamiento. Militia ineffecti\"e, ancl the a,yuntamiento is petitioning for permission to organize a company of rangers. Judiciary. Austin to Lucas A.Inman, Saltillo, l\Iarch 21, 1831. Observation convinces him that Texus can not receh'e adequate legislation from any legislature w!J.lle united to Coahuila. Wants Congress to pass a general law for organizution of territories. ·outlines such a law. Advises repeal of eleventh article of law of April 6, 1S30, admission of slaves, open ports, and nmenclrnent of tonnage regulations so as to promote coasting trade. Samuel l\I. Williams to Austin, March 22, 1831. Conditions in Texas. News- paper vicissitudes.· Austin's difficulties. William S. Parrott to Austin, Mexico, March 23, 1S31. Asks Austin to fur- ther wishes of the Galveston Bay & Texas Land Co. Jo~ Antonio Mexia to Austin, Mexico, March 23, 1831. Hoping to see Austin soon on business of the Galveston Bay & Texas Land Co. J. Francisco Madero to Austin, March 24, 1831. Wishes Austin to use In• fluence in legislature to obtain for him monopoly of the Trinity River. Father 1\-liguel Muldoon to Austin, Matamoros, March 28, 1831. Leaving for 'l'exas to-morrow. Ramon Musquiz to Alcalde of San ll"'elipe de Austin, March 29, 1831. • Re- ports to immigrants who passed Nacogdoches. If not members of Austin's colony, must be expelled.• (Omitted.) Henry Austin to Austin, New Orleans, l\Iarch 30, 1831. 1\-Iexican minister to the United States interprets law of April 6, 1830, to stop all emigration of natives of the United States to Texas. Henry Austin's arrangement with consul at New Orleans to allow passports to Austin's colony. Many disquiet!ng rumors check emigration, Manuel de Mier y Terrtn to Austin, Matamoros, March -, 1831. Father Muldoon departing for Texas. Emigration to Texas continues and patieuce alone is necessary for its progress. Slavery would hasten progress, but it carries consequent evils. To admit slavery in Texas would entail the privi- lege for all the coast States. Ramon Musquiz to Alcalde of San Felipe de Austin, Bexar, April 2, 18Bl. Transmitting order of governor of March 18: (1) Persons presenting petitions to the government which require stamped paper need expect no atrention unless they comply with the law. (2) Immigr1U1ts recently arrived or coming from the United States will, while the law of April 6, 1830, is in effect, receive no more land than that prescribed by the colonization law. Austin to Samuel M. Williams, Saltillo, April 2, 1831. Interest in passage of a general law for the government of territories. Slavery. Hold aloof from conflict between Madero and Bradburn. "In these matters say little or nothing, and nothing definite." Law excluding foreigners from retail trade. Manuel de Mier y Terfin to Austin, Matamoros, April 3, 1831. Father Mul- doon left, with escort, for Texas March 31. Has tried to show him that tithes and other revenues effecti\"e in other parts of the Republic will not be prnc• ticable in Texas and that be must depend upon free-will offerings and !r.nd grants. Austin the only empresnrio who has devoted himself singly to coloni• zntlon; others ba,·e gone into speculation. Teriin is now worried by Zavala's sale of bis grant to the Galveston Bay & Texas Land Co., which bas sent to
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