THE AUSTIN PAPERS 417 they have not brought one family to the country, nor advanced one step. I have but little knowledge of my mothers family I idolised my beloved ~1other and altho I know none of her Philadelphia family connections personally I have towards them all the affection of a relative- ,vill you do me the kindness to send me by Mr. Perry a short historical sketch of my mothers parentage and f3:mily and of my maternal relations who a1~e alive, where they live, their names etc I have a great desire to visit the U. S. and I have no.doubt it would restore my health, but I am tied down here now, by many heavy and perplexing duties, and to tell the truth I am too poor as to money, to bear the expence- I have land but it will not sell yet-notwithstanding, I do not dispair of seeing Philadelphia before I die-. I think I was called after Benjamin Fuller who married a sister of my mothers,- who inherited his fortune~ he promised my mother to leave it to me- If I had it now I would make Texas much the better by it- • I hope Tanner may make a fortune out of the map, if so, he must send me one [of] his best bound general Atlasses- you may have some curiosity to know my age, I was born ·in Wythe county Virginia November 3. 1793- very cordially your £rend and relation S. F. AusTIN [Rubric] · I regret tci say that James Austin a son of Aunt Margarette died of consumption here a short time after his arrival from Missouri, he was nearly gone when he reached here- A [Addressed:] Thomas F. Leaming Esqr. Philadelphia Pena. •
AUSTIN TO TH01\-IAS.F. LElli~ING 1
San Felipe de Austin 14 June 1830.
Dn Sm, • You have no doubt seen published in the news papers the law of 6 of april passed by the Mexican Congress relative to emigration from the United States- • The 10 article of that law declares that no variation shall be made in the colonies already established- Mine is established, and no -embarassments can be legally enterposed to the· imigration of honest and good men of families, who are comprehended in my con- tracts
'Apparently this letter was Intended by Austin for publication.
Powered by FlippingBook