402
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
Country approved very much of the project, told me he had often thought of Texas, as being a country well calculated for his Country- men, and thought it would be fortunate for them if they would Emigrate to Texas, instead of coming here, that many of them, were disappointed on their arrival here and were at times so much at a loss to know which way to go on there arrival here, that he had purchased a Tract of La.nd in this State, from no other cause, than to find them a Speedy location, that his land was not however, or rather the climate calculated for them, for it is in the northern part of this State and too cold for them but they were in the habit of going to Ohio, and other Western States, which was attended with too much expence for many of them I told him, as I think would be the best plan (if such a person could be found that would feel Sufficient interest, to take the trouble to communicate the informa- tion to his Country men) to send your pamphlet, and such other information as I could give to some Swiss Genl [gentlemen] going to Switserland, and for him to recommend them taking passage to New Orleans so as to arive there in a healthy season, and proceed from thence to your Colony, he was of my opinion but did not know of a.ny one going at present, and he was not acquainted with any one that would be of use to send it to, out of the Canton he came from (Geneva) where they were all, or principally mechanics,- at present there do not appear to be many or any Swiss Emigrants in the City about a month since another Swiss Gen 1 [gentleman] told me there would probaly be a good many here-- I called on :Mr. Theoder Meyer a German many years a merchant here, and consol for Hanover, who I have been long acquainted with, he thought it would be difficult to preva.il on his country men to go there, under the impression that the climate would be to warm for them, that they were generally pretty well of, and if three or four of the most respectable familys that were disposed to Emigrate could be prevailed on to go direct from their Country to Texas, and should be pleased, you would have no difficulty in prevailing on as many to follow, as you could wish, he thought it would be best for you to send over some person to Germany, and prevail on three or four Familys to come over, and pay the expences, but this I presume would not be convenient for you at presentr--as I said before I shall be on the alert-in hopes that the information you gave interesting to Swiss Emigrants, Might reach the Eyes of some of them, that were on the look out for a favorable pla.ce to locate, I thought best, and ventured to put an extract from your lett.er in the Journal of Commerce, I found Mr. Meyer has seen it, and was pleased with it, it paid his Countrymen a Compliment, which had a good effect- you will on the receipt of this have
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