572
AM.EB.ICA.N HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
I shall detain here one day for the escort to get ready. 'l'he[re] appears to be nothing new that I have heard of-tho have made no inquiries. Padre Musquis has gone on. [George] Nixon has expressed so much anxiety to be on good terms again that I have agreed to it and wrote you by him stating that he could [have] a League where it was entirely unappropriated- the best conquest that can be made over an enemy is to convert him into a friend. I told him that he could not get any forfeited League. On reflection as to the Lindsey League-I think it had better be held, for the present. After my arrival at Saltillo I think I can get your petition granted, and if so you are more entitled to that League than any one else, and you shall have my support to get it- but keep this to yourself. Send instructions to S. P. Brown how to regulate his chain to the Mexican Measure. He sent me word by Williamson that he had forgotten the difference between the Mexican and english measure. If young Tumlinson applies for a place up on N avidad let him
have one-he is the best of that family Remember me to Sarah and Mrs. Sweet S. M. Williams [Addressed:] Al Austin
. S. F. AusTIN [Rubric]
Seiior D 0 Samuel Williams, en San Felipe de
- JOHN A. WII.LIAMS TO AUSTIN District of Atascosito. Texas 4 th January 1831
Col. S. F. AusTIN DEAR Sm In conformity with my promise I have endeavoured to learn from the people the public opinion as to the best mode of organizing the local government of this district, no public metting has been had, but I have conversed with a number of persons whose opinions are entitled to respect Messrs. George Orr, Baker McSpinks, our former Alcalde, and Wm Milspaugh the present Alcalde are among those I have consulted They were made acquainted with the object of your address of the 17th Novbr last, and All concured in the course there suggested If, for the last seven years, the people of this dist, have gov- erned themselves in a peaceful and harmonious manner without courts legally established, without the enjoyment of the rights of citizenship and almost without law, yet obedient to law when known. 1 Is this not conclusive evidence that they are justly en- 1 These E'ast Texu settlers had drifted 1n without permit from the government and settled outside any empressarlo's grant. The arrest or Padilla, the general land com- m1ss1oner, at Nacogdoches in the S11mmer ot 1830 prevented at that tlme the extenslou or Utles to their lands. They had a de facto political orgn.n.tzatlon, each community electlng an "alcalde," S11bject to the ayuntam.lento or Nacogdoches.
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