722
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
ing my other colonies which are completed, The new emigrants therefore who now. come, will not have to settle in a wilderness, destitute of supplies as the first emigrants did, but on the contrary, they come to a country abounding in provisions, and in all that is necessary to make them comfortable By the existing laws of the ~fexican Govt. Europeans are prefered to North Americans, and no people would be better received than the subjects of Great Britain, for no nation is on more friendly terms with the :Mexican Gov- E.-rnment-- English farmers, and capitalists would greatly benefit themselves by a removal to Texas- The industrious and economical habits of the former~ would advance their fortunes rapidly by agriculture, and the capital of the latter invested in M:anufactories, Agriculture, or commerce would yield them an immense interest-- There certainly never was such an opening on earth for european emigrants, as is now presented in Texas, for it will be remembered that they are not compelled to settle in Austin's colony unless they chuse to do so, but can settle in other parts of Texas-it will also be rememberd that no money is required of the settler, untill he has actually recd. his title from the commissioner of the Govt. duly appointed for that pur- pose-no one can get a title without an actual removal of his family to the country. By the constitution and laws of this nation slavery is forever prohibited within the mexican territory, emigrants from England would therefore do well to bring a number of laborers and white servants, bound under written contracts specifying their wages and the term for which they had engaged-such contracts will be binding and enforced in this country. It would be a good plan to bring out a number of Dutch, Belgian or German families as labor- ers. It is thought by some that they would be much more easily managed and more profitable, than either english, irish, or scotch laborers Emigrants will be required to produce evidence of their good moral character, respectable standing, and industrious and sober habits, from the judicial or civil authority of the counti;y they remove from, which must be properly authenticated to avoid frauds and imposi- tions, without this indispensable requisite, land will not be granted to them as settlers- On their arrival in this country, those who wish to settle under the [last] contract of Austin and Williams, must apply to one of those persons in this place, and report himself with a list of his family and present his documents of recommendation, and also his passport from the mexican consul of the port where be saild from [STEPHEN F. AusTIN,] San Felipe de Austin 5th December 1831
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