THE AUSTIN PAPERS 183 school and have spoken to the p[e]ople Genarly the[y] are all willing to Give it liberal support but object intirely to sending their children to San Philipe in fact they are so disgusted with the precedings at that place that there is nothing that Centers there thnt they will have any thing to ·do with-as to my own part· I would do any way that a mejority might think best- My opinion is that if the lawers ware placed in a situation to go to work and Could be converted into good farmers that all things would go on well and quietly and I think I risk nothing whin I say that this is ·the opinion of the p[e]ople Genarly-and also that any measure you may perpose would meet their aprobation, and also that they look to you alone as having it in your power to remady the Evils they now Complain of-and their whole hope is that you will be with them in using your Influince and means for the Good of the Collany and they beleave that while the lawers Continue as they are that they have nothing but Confusion to hope for.- it is rumored that our Ayuntimiento is preparing a petition to the Legislature of the state to pass a law to levy a tax on the Collany I think it a subject that ought to be well reflected on the people is pore and a tax should be as little resorted to as possable J. H. BELL j\,forch the 13, th 1829
AUSTIN TO JOSIAH H. BELL
• San Felipe de Austin March 17, 1829
DR Sm
I have been so much occupied for some time past a.rrnnging the papers and business of the office prepnritory to my departure for the United State~ that I have not had an opportunity of mixing much with the settlers or of knowing what was afloat amongst them Your letter contained some sentences which induced me to make enquiries, and I must express great astonishment and regret _at what I have been told in regard to the rumors that are afloat; that is, if it be a fact that the rumors I allude to are in circulation, and produce the excitement which it is said they do- A clamor is made, as it is said, because the Ayto are about to levy a tax for municipal purposes-and the pretext on which this clamor is founded is that the Ayuntamiento have no right to tax the people because the colonization law exempts them and also it is said that there is no use for funds etc- Those who have cir- culated such ideas are either ignorent of the law, or are wilfully malicious and wish to create confusion. The colonization law most postively and expressly says·that the colonists shall be tn-xed by the .
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