THE AUSTIN PAPERS· 211 beyond parallel. An immence coasting trade is open round the Gulf of 1.1:exico and to the West Indians, and Europe will turn with joy and avidity from the "tarriffcd cotton" of the U. S. to the fine long staple of Texas. The subject of the cotton trade has been laid before the national executive through various channels and the secretary of state has informed me in reply to a communication I made on the subject last fall that the President would at a proper time call the attention of Congress particularly to it. He has already recom- mended a reduction of the tariff. You can also tell him that the Gen 1 land Comr will shortly be here to distribute land and issue titles, and that this fall is the great seed time. If they come in then they will most surely reap a bountiful harvest hereafter, but they must come" bag and baggage" wives children and "plunder" for an actual removal is necessary to get a title. A great part of the coast of Texas will be open for settlement this summer and foll, including the shores of the fine bays of Galveston and :Matagorda and also the whole country up to the San Antonio road in this and De vVitt's colony. Now then is . the time. Let there be a strong population of North Americans here, with a sufficient number of talented und virtuous and prudent men to direct them and who would oppress us? Mexico? She lacks both the power and the inclination for it would be her interest to bind us to her. Spain? She cannot. England dare not for war with the U. S. would of course be the result of the occupancy of Texas by that power and the same applies to France. What then have emigrants to Texas to fear? If they harmonize with them- selves and are prudent they have nothing to :fear and they have everything that man desires to hope for and expect. Look back at the prospects when I commenced. What were they in compari- son with the prospects now? My standing with this Govt and with the people of Texas generally is now established I think on a firm hasis and I could do much to benefit Texas if there was a sufficient population here of the right kind, and if such a population would treat me with candor and confidence they could use me very much to their own advantage for I am not selfish. I will remain firm to this Govt so long as it stands and will lose my life sooner than betray in the slightest degree my oath as a citizen. All the altera- tions that are needed in our laws I think can be constitutionally obtained without difficulty. If the Govt stands and prospers Texas must prosper under it. If the Govt falls the bonds which bind Texas and ~Iexico will of course be severed by that fall, and in this event Texas can either unite her- self to the North under the necessary guarantees from that Govt or become an independent speck in the galaxy of nations. Europe will gladly receive our cotton and sugar etc. on advantageous terms
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