THE AUSTIN PAPERS 859 poc1c1on del J ues de su causa> y conseguir de este modo buelban a sus establecmientos con toda seguridacl de no ser ya mas molestados, los Ciudadnnos de q se hace referencia. Dios y libertad Bejar 12 de Septiembre de 1832. JosE ANT° DELA GARZA [Rubric] Sor Empresario Ciudadano Estevan F. Austin
AUSTIN TO --- MARTIN
Statement presented· to -- Mnrtln, relative to the settlement ot the business between S. F . .Austin and the late J. H. Hawkins•
In Novr. 1821 a contract was made between S. F. Austin nnd J. H. Hawkins, relative to settling the colony originally contracted to be ecttled by l\·foses Austin, the father of the said Stephen F. Austin. A partnership was also formed between the said S. F. Austin and the said Hawkins for certain purposes: this partnership expired by the death of Hawkins in 1823. At the time of forming that contract, it was supposed that some- thing could be realized out of the settlers; and an arrangement was made for them to pay 12% cents pr acre for the land they received, Austin to be at all the expense. This arrangement was totally de- stroyed by the interference of the Govr. of Texas in 1824. A large i:,um was lost by Austin for surveys which were made up to that time, and meanderings of the river. • In May 1824 the Govr. of Texas interfered with the said first ar- rangement, and established a fee-bill. None of these fees belonged to Austin; and he had no right to use any of them. One hundred and twenty seven dollars, 50 cents, were allowed to the Commissioner, including his milage from Bexar to the colony; 30 dollars to the Govt.; and 8 dollars for the Title. The Commissioner relinquished to Austin the third of his fees. Austin was appointed by the Govt. to administer the local govern- ment of the colony in all its branches, civil, judicial, and military, without any salary. He also had to attend in person to all the ln.nd- business. Besides this he kept an open house and was compelled to • In 18159 W11llnm D. Victor printed In Cincinnati a Memorial to the Legislature ot Texna, a pamphlet ot 35 pages. Victor had mnrrled the Inst surviving heir ot Joseph H. Hawkins, and prayed the Leglslnture ot Te:i:ae to repny the advances which he believed Hawkins had made to Austin over 11.nd above the original adYances to establish the first ■ettlers In 1822. He based hie claim on letters ot Nnthnnlel Cox, saying that Hawkloe'1 advances and expenditures totnled some $30,000. Austin pointed out thnt much ot thla money was lost In commercial speculations having no eonnectlon with the partnership between hlmeelt and Hawkins. Hawkins estimated his expenditures directly and indl• rectly at $7,000. See Hnwklne to A.ustlu, May Sl, 1S22, and to Mrs. Austin, Mar. 29, 1823. See also Nathnnlel Cox to Austin, Mar. 20, June S, nnd Aug. 0, 182-l. On Apr. 2, 1833, Austin wrote Cox expressing gratification at Cox's approval of his settlement wltb the Hawkin, heirs.
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