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AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
orable one, it requires infinitely more talents and more strength of constitution than I possess, and I wish to enlist some efficient aid. I send you a publication made in Mexico by which you can see the general tone in that qua.rter. As regards the removal of your family I have to say that my brother in lnw James F. Perry left here three weeks since to bring his, and I hnve this day written to him to come on in the fall and not mind what he sees in the public papers. This is the best answer I can give to your 3 4 enquiry Should you see my relative Thos. F. Leaming please remember me to him I returned from Bexar a few days since, all is well with the State authorities- no news from Bowie or your petition- The Govt are encouraging Manufactories as you can see by the law of 6 april- write me often, our coasting trade is open for foreign vessels S. F. AusTIN [Rubric] By a pacific and just course I have brought forward this colony to what it is- the snme course cannot fail to continue the adva.nce- ment of its prosperity- some visionary men think that a civil war would lead to the independence of Texas- perhaps it might-but admitting it would, I have one objection to it which with me is con- clusive and paramount-it woukl be unjust-this is not my only objection, there are hundreds, but this one is enough- The settlers here are really well off, and are satisfied-the only worm that now works in their heads is that no more emigration is to come they are not to have Slaves etc-a prudent course will remove all these difficulties- We must prove to this Govt. by our conduct that we deserve its confidence-we must get in Swiss, and Germans and I think that if you could excite some educated, common sence, practical men of those nations to come and view this country; it would be the means of paving the way for a great emigration- our country men in general want slaves- this is a troublesome question to get on with, they must be reasoned with and brought round by degrees nnd prudence- The minds of the people here at this time are very quiet and settled, but one imprudent measure on the part of Govt. would have a dreadfull effect-- This must be closely watched and guarded against if possible and harmony and peace preserved I send you a copy of my letter to the Alabama Gentlemen who were out here last fall. and contracted to emigrate- I have, re- quested them to publish it in Tuscumbia papers-they may not do it owing to what I have said about Slavery-if they do not you can if you chuse, exercise your judgement and publish it or not, as you think best, in some Philadelphia paper- write me your candid
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