THE AUSTIN PAPERS 535 willing to act for you if you wish him, but he expected to start in a day or two for New Orleans and be absent two months, There ought to be some person there authorised immediately, for since I left· there I have been informed of two more families that have been stoped, a.nd detain'd,- I have been particular in giving the par- ticulars of my detention, to you, in order that, you may have a clear view of the impediment, emigrants will meet with in comeing to the colonies-- So soon as I can, I expect to see you, but can not for a few days,- Majr Robertson has inform'd you that I am interested in the settlement·of this colony- A.LllANDER THOMSON [Addressed:] Col 0 s.· F. Austin San Phillipi De Austin
AUSTIN TO M. B. MENARD
San Felipe de Austin Novr 13. 1830
Mr M. B. MEN ARD
DR Sm, The enclosed letter from T. F. McKinny Esqr. will explain to you the reasons why I have taken the liberty of troubling you with: this letter and the enc[l]osed instructions. I applied to Mr. Mc- Kinney to recommend to me a suitable person in Nacogdoches as agent to give certificates of reception to emigrants bound to this Colony, who pass through that place. On his recommendation I have sent to you the enclosed appointment and instructions made out in Spanish. He has aprisecl me that you would attend to it, and that full confidence might be placed in you. I hope this will be sufficient to explain to you why I have troubled you with this matter. Should you feel any unwillingness to attend to it, you can return the papers to me, or to Mr. S. M. Williams at this place by some safe conveyance. The object of the certificates which you are to issue to the emi- grants, is to place Evidence in their hands that they are a part o~ the Settlers who enter into my contracts, which they can present to Col. Piedras, so as to avoid any detention or difficulty in pursuing their journey to this place I send you a pamphlet containing translations of the colonization laws,_and of my contracts with Government. You will see that the 5 article of my contract (page 49) prohibits me from admitting criminals etc etc (see the said article) This article is cited in the 2d. article of your instructions. I wish to do my duty strickly. The object ·of the government I understand to be, to keep out bad and useless men, and to admit all who are honest, industrious anq ~oral, and I wish you.to keep that rule in view in giving the cer-. ti.ficates. Men of families who bring their wiv~ and children are
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