THE AUSTIN PAPERS 721 judgement, if Plank can be had to lay down on the Passage and back Gallery, by closing in three rooms, we could move down, (I mean putting in doors and windows) the rest of the unfinished House would do for the boys to Lodge in, through the Summer; I approve of his Plan in laying off the Grounds very much I wish the Back Yard to run down to the Creek and do not let the Boys cut down any of the trees that will make a Shade, you know I am a great Friend to trees and sh[r]ubbery- come up as soon as possible, for we are all very anxious, to see you, write by every opportunity, Adieu- E. M. P. Have received letters from John Perry and Rachel, all friends were well, nothing perticular in them;
AusTIN TO JA?tfES HoPE
Mr. JAMES HOPE, You inform me that you are going to England, your native coun- try, on a visit, and expect that many enquiries will be made by your friends and relations relative to Texas, and as to the encouragement that is given by this government to emigrants and in order that you may be enabled to answer them correctly you wish me to give you a. memorandum on the subject-- In complyance with this request I herewith hand you.a pamphlet which contains translations of the colonization laws now in force- you will find the national law on the 40th and 41st pages numberd 20, and the law of the State of coahuila and Texas on pages 42, to 4~it is numbered 21, and commences at the bottom of page 41.- The State lnw is the one which prescribes the quantity of land each settler is to get and the mode of issuing the titles, The instructions to the commissioners on pages 55. 56. 57. and 58. also cl_early ex- plain the mode-of issuing the titles etc- It will be seen by examining the state law above mentioned that 11 league of lnnd and a." Labor" can be granted to each family, and tho quarter of that quantity to single men- A 'lnexican league is equal to four thousand fou,1· hund1·ed and twenty eight acres english measure- A Lnbor is equnl to 177 acres- The whole cost of a k•a.gue of land including surveying, office fees and what has to be paid .to the Government under the 22d article of the state law, will not exceed about four cents pr acre, and a considerable portion of this is payable in instalments- By a new contract which I have lately made with the Govern- ment in which I hnve t~ken Mr S. l\if. '\Villiams in as a partner, ,v e are authorised to introduce eight hundred European families, and settle them on the vncnnt land within the limits of and adjoin•
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