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AMEntcdt RiSTOiUCAL ASSOCtATtON
discussion of Philanthropists. It is not entirely a. new one, but it needs anilizing-in fact the sifting and critical examination of a public discussion. My object is to get all the information I can that will be useful to the people of Texas. and with this view you are at liberty to show this letter or make any use of it you may think best calculated to affect that object. The learned and pious in the U. S. have devotd much of their time to the discussion of the merits or demerits of the systems of other countries, with a view to enlighten public opinion generally. ·why not also take some interest in the happiness of a new and rising country, their close neighbor and a sister republic a friend. I am now on my way to Saltillo the capital of our State to attend the Legislature of which I am a member from Texas, and shnll not return home untill October or November next. Should you think proper to answer this letter it would be best to send the answer th::ough some person in New Orleans who would attend to forward- ing it to me at San felipe de Austin, by some vessel bound to Brasoria. [STEPHEN F. AUSTIN.]
CONCERNING SECUilITY FOR DEBT l
[June 24, 1832.] Desirous that the Colonists of Austins Colony should prosper in wealth peace and harmony. From and after the promulgation of this Law no debt shall be recoverable by law that is contracted between any persons in the Colony but it will be considered when one credits another [that] it is in faith of the good opinion and confidence he entertains of him and does it to oblige and not to ruin him and if the person credited decieve the other he is a base character and never will be respected and his credit for ever damd. many objec- tions may be raised but when both sides of the question are examined fairly it will appear evident it is very much in favor of the poor, as it is them generally who want credit-then monied men prey upon them-they will apply for credit and if it is for property and the owner has it to spare he will deniand 50 or 100 per cent more than he would be willing to take in cash by waiting a year. there is from 50 to 100 per cent on his property and money is not worth more than 10 percent, •I have known many widows and Orphans ruined by the like for the man would drink and trade while drunk and everyone [was then] his friend, because he had a little property and at the same time they are planning to ruin him. let him have what he wants for he is good and they can make him willing by law and every advantage is taken of his distress. The family is brought to suffer, It is generally said that .it is hard to pay a 1 This curious fragment le tn a hnndwi-iting that mny be that ot George Fisher. perhaps an awkward trnnslntlon or a Spanish drntt ot a bill by Austin. It 1B
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