THE AUSTIN PAPERS 191 One day the people curse the .Alcalde for not doing a thing, and the next they curse him for doing it- I say that this prejudice is impolitic as well as unjust because it is the interest of each man who lives in this colony or in this section o:f the country to encouragt1. the improvement and advancement o:f this town-The day will come when a selection must be ma.de :for the seat o:f Govt of Texas-the people of his jurisdiction sh_ould keep that object in view and by pushing forward this place pave the way to its location here-. If we can get decent public buildings and an academy etc under way n.nd have the place otherwise improved so as to afford comfortable accomodations, this place stands a better chance to be the seat of Govt than any other point in Texas. I am of opinion that it must ultimately be on the Brazos river, but if it is taken to any thing like the center of territory it will be somewhere about the St. Antonio· road or above it- It cannot be long before there must be a supreme Court established for Texas and it ought to sit at this town, these are important considerations, and every one who does or says any- thing to retard the advance of this place is actually doing an injury to himself that is with the exception of those who live near the St. Antonio road, for it is their interest to sink this place and raise up a town there for the future seat of Govt but the people of the Coast would surely rather it should be here, than any higher up the river- I calculated the chances for this place to be the future seat of Govt of Texas.many years ago and I was then of the opinion that the people of this Colony could make it the seat of Govt if they took the right course and I am of the same opinion still- The Academy is a very important matter and I hope you will aid us some from that quarter of the country- If we can get it under way I have no doubt the Govt will aid us- I will devote a great deal to this object if it goes on, for independent of the good that will result to the children of the Colony, it will give a favourable character to it abroad. My whole thoughts and ambition and desires have been devoted to the advancement of this colony and the happiness of its citizens I have no other wish-no other interest, and I therefore cannot but observe with deep regret any thing like a want of union or of con- fidence in the people-I have a great desire to visit the United States and to spend a year or 18 months there, but I really have some fears that things will go into confusion M:y Dr Sir the people must rely with more confidence on the men chosen by themselves to take charge of their public matters and they must close their ears against the idle rumors and clamors of those who are bawling out oppression in order to screen themselves by throwing obliquy on the authorities who attempt to control them
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