THE AUSTIN PAPERS 781 written from here, and his Altamira proclamation both of which you have seen published, the latter begins "Ya lo habeis visto.". I sincerely believe that neither of those papers contains his real senti- ments as to foreigners-but most people are in the habit of judging of a man by what he says, and not by what he thinks, and for this reason I think those two papers will do the Gen' great harm both at home and abroad. They will also irritate the other party ex- cessively, for they contain a direct charge that the Santana party are the mere tools of foreigners, which is certainly an incorrect charge. • The Gen 1 was greatly perplexed, and overwhelmed with affairs when I saw him at the cojo. He had just retreated from Tampico-- had just heard of the removal of the ministers-was not in very good health, and in a camp in the midst of his army, of course not in a situation to talk much about Texas matters-however, we had considerable conversation on the subject. He expresses great inter- e.st for the prosperity of the settlers-is in favor of repealing the 11 Article of the law of 6 April and of extending the commercial privileges. He told me that he had sent on Fishers resignation to the Govt. to _be acted,on by the President·as he might deem proper etc. etc. • If harmony and confidence can be maintained between the mer- chants and settlers and the local officers of the custom house and of the army at Brazoria, all will get on very well. Some one reported to Gen 1 Teran that there were more goods imported int<;> Brazoria in October and November last, than had entered the port of Mata- moros for one year-this was the real cause of his sudden trip to Texas last Novr when he took out Fisher. He says that what the Settlers need for their own use is of no consequence, and if goods could be prevented from being taken from Texas to the interior, no custom house would be established there for many years-but he says that the importations there for the purpose of the interior trade reduces the revenue of of this port, and defrauds the Govt. etc. I told him that the person who made such a report to him stated what was false. He said that every indulgence would be allowed on all articles for the necessary use of the settlers, but that the utmost rigor would be used as to light and fancy dry goods, suitab]e for the interior trade. By the by this interior trade has never been carried on from Brazoria or Galveston-it is a loosing business at best, and I hope for the future our merchants will let it alone. It is more important at this time to encourage the farmers than the merchants. I shall go to Monterrey and try to enlist some friends there who have influence in :Mexico to use it with the new administration in
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