THE AUSTIN PAPERS 647 Hamson and Luke. I have sent a copy·of the law to Alaman, and to Teran so that they may not attribute the results which may -happen from its publication in Texas, to any but to the true cause.
D. W". SMITH TO AUSTIN
Matamoros 18 th April 1831
Col. STEPHEN F. AusnN
Leona Vicario Dr Sm, Your favours of the 15 th ulto. and 19 th inst. were duly re- ceived. The letters which you enclosed in the former, were trans- mitted to the U. States in compliance with your request. It is truly gratifying to me, to learn, that there is yet, some pros- pect of defeating the Law; which the Hon. Legislature of your State has attempted to pass; prohibiting Foreigners from the privilege of r~tailing their merchandise a copy of which, you did me the honor to transmit-for your politeness and attention, I beg leave to return you my sincere thanks. If such a law as contemplated, should go into effect, it would most unquestionably, militate materially against the interest of my countrymen. Its practical operation would have a similar tendency towards the natives generally. It would throw the whole trade into the hands of a few capitalists; who, availing themselves of the monopoly, could compel the consumers to pay almost any price for their goods, that their consciences would permit them to ask: in a few words it would benefit the / ew to the obvious detriment of the ma;n,y. I have never understood that you was an advocate of that law; nor 'has any such report been in circulation here. your letter gave me the first report of its supposed existence. The laudable effort made by your Legislature, in behalf of this Port, will be duly appreciated by every friend of equal rights and free trade. It is to be hoped, that the open hostility, manifested by the citizens of Vera Cruz, against the growing prosperity of this section, may be tranquilized; and that the interested selfish motives, disclosed in their application to the General Congress to close, the Port of Matamoros may be responded to, in the language of denial. . The natural advantages, which this place possesses, in point of health, over the Southern Ports; the superior facilities in the trans- portation of merchandise into the interior; its contiguity to the frontier, and to the U. S.; and its importance as a military port., claim the ·consideration and protection of the general Government. Those common advantages to the nation, should not be easily yielded by those entrusted with its affairs; nor sacrificed by the cupidity of local jealosy, and self-aggrandizement. •
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