AMERICAN HISTOillCAL ASSOCIATION to this colony without delay. In Novr next the law expires exempt- ing Texas from duties. Come on and bring a handsome assortment of goods. And come quickly, the fall is the best time to remove on % of health. When I get an answer to the application I have made of a grant for you I will write, tho I am not doubtful as to a favour- able one. Land can now be had on reasonable terms by purchace. I am the agent of Mexicans to sell 22 Leagues for $500 a League part on a credit, if you come now and bring some money and goods you may get as much as you please. in a year more land will rise. 200 emigrants have arrived in a month. do not be the last. Come on, and let the remnant of our family be united once more. My health is better and I sta.rt tomorrow with the surveyors for the woods to be out a month or more. S. F. AosTIN [Rubric] [Addre.$ed to:] Mr. James F. Perry Potosi Missouri
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GIDEON BLACKBURN TO AUSTIN
Col. AUSTIN Danville Jany 19 1830 SIR Though I have not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance, yet perhaps my standing and character may not be entirely unknown to you. I am now in the fifty eighth year of my age, have been a minister of the.Presbyterian denomination now more than 37 years and for the last three years have held the Presidency of Centre College at Danville. I give yon the information to prepare the way for some inquiries I wish to make of you respecting the portions of country held by you, and by some other Americans in the region of Texas. My family are nearly grown and, including myself, we have in the connection five ministers and I am disposed to make a settlement some where that might bring together 40 or 50 or even 100 families and thus spend the evening of life amongst my friends in promoting the cause of lit-erature and religion; and leave them with prospects of doing good in the world. I have thought of your country but am not in possession of sufficient information to enable me to make a fair conclusion and have therefore taken the liberty of troubling you with the following enquiries. 1st Is your title free from dispute. Also the other 2 or 3 American claims in your region; 2d Is there liberty of conscience and the free exercise of religion¥ 3d. Is the climate safe for constitutions formed in Kentucky and Tenn~¥ 4th What is the quality of tµe soil generally, is it timbered or naked. Will it admit a dense population or must the settlements be sparse¥
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