212
AMERICAN HISTORIOAL ASSOCIATION
in exchange for "unto.riffed " manufactured articles. We should be too contemptable to excite the jealousy of the Northern Mammoth, and policy nnd interest would induce Europe to let us alone. I deem it to be more than probable that the great powers would all unite in garanteeing the Independence of little Texas. There are many pow- erful reasons why it would be to their interest to do it. Suppose that some 4 or 500 southern men of taunts and capital, and high character were to emigrate to Texas in a body next fall, what can prevent their future prosperity~ I have the legal right to garantee to them a reception as emigrants in my colony and as such the law grants them land. The door is legally opened to them and they are invited to enter and partake of the fortune and prosperity and happiness which nature has provided with a liberal hand for all who will now advance and receive them. Such an opportunity never c,ffered upon earth, never can offer again, and it will be trifling with fortune to neglect it. But do not misunderstand me as to the kind of emigrants-ardent inexperienced hot headed youths piping from college or ignorant self willed "mobish" mountaniers and :frontiersmen who" hold to Lynch law" and damning those who are in office merely because they are in office, would totally ruin us for- ever. We need that class of emigrants who deserve the appelntion of southern Gentlemen, whose fortunes are independent but not overgrown, whose judgment has been enlightened by education and matured by experience, and who have families to keep the intemper- ate wild ambitious passions of the human heart within the circle of prudence. I would fearlessly pledge my head that an emigration of 400 wch men next fall to Texas would permanently ensure the pros- perity of this country and the happiness of its inhabitants. I have expressed myself to you with more freedom and frankness than is usual with me on subjects of this kind. It is not every man whose mind is capable of embracing the past the present and the future and I have never sought celebrity by trying to confound the ignorant by matters which they could not comprehend. It is my request that this letter should be confidential and that it should not by any means be published. I cannot but think that if proper exertions were made a large company of Southern Gentlemen from C. G. A. and T. [Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee¥] might be made up to emigrate here next fall. I am too poor in money to make the trip or I would have gone 9n with you. I wished to see you on this subject and regret that you did not call. [STEPHEN F. AUSTIN.]
CHARLES DOUGLAS TO AUSTIN
Vera Cruz, April 25, 1829.
See Calendar.
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