'.l'HE AUSTIN PAPERS 637 I wish you to take the copy of the oficio that Jorge [Fisher] wrote about the free negroes, and burn it, that is I mean the copy that was signed by me,. in case I ever signed any which I do not recollect to have done, and carefully keep the copy and letter on that subject which is in his hand writing don't neglect to clo this before you forget it, and send him no papers of any sortr-you did very right in not sending those he wrote for. Padre .h1:uldoon was still in :Matamoros on the 21 March, but anxious to get on. I presume he will wait untill the Gen I decides whether he goes to Mexico or to Texas. This is holy week, of course nothing done in the Legislature, tho we have had any quantity of processions etc-the one last night which began at 8 and ended at 11-was beautifull-about 800 females walked in two lines each with a wax candle-the night was calm and dark-the lights made a fine display in these streets, some of which assend n~ar 200 feet in ha.If a mile. We are at a law to prevent foreigners from retailing-at first I thought it would pass-I now think it will not. I shall oppose it in its present shape. I am promised an officio to Arciniega by next mail in answer to the consulta about the restriction-he may go on and put them all in possession, without any fears. I shall have no difficulty of any sort with Boss [Teran~]. Close all the 4 of June Colony as fast as possible. I ought to go to IY!exico with Teran if he goes, but how . can I, without money, and required at home. I am undecided as yet as to this point, and rather think that if I had 500 dollars I would go on. Much depends on the organic law for the territories. l have written many sheets on this subject and on slavery to Mex- ico but there is nothing like being personally present. Let me lmow by return of mail (if time will permit) what Luke and Johnson and others think of my views about a territory and the manner of managing the slave question-don't fail in this, there will be time for it [to] get here by 1 of May. As to the Trinity business Madero has the right side of the question-of that there is no doubt-and in the end he will come out, if he is prudent. I nm compelled to touch that matter cautiously :for the colony has much at stake-too much to be embarked in the cause of another. It is a hard and unpleasant situation to be pla.ced in. Some use may be made of the big colonizing business of New York, but that must also be touched prudently. In these matters say little or noth- ing, and nothing cleffenite, as many smooth words without meaning as you please. By Rodrigues I sent forty titles, on which I hu.ve paid forty dollars cash which you must collect. Send out the Gonzales titles without delay get Pettus to attend to it.
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