860
AMElUCAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
do so:' his house was always full, for the first six years, as is well known to those who were here then. It is also well known, that he had constant visits from the Tankaway, Lipan,. Beedi, and other Indians; and the situation of things required him to make them large presents. These expenses were not all : he paid for expresses, furnished pro- visions, and amunition, and many other things for campaigns against the Indians. He was compelled to keep an office, and a Secretary, and Clerks; acquainted with the Spanish and English languages-It will be remembered that, at that time, every thing was dear-Cows at from $20 to $30 each ; pork from. $9to $1.0; beeves from $25 to $30 a head; corn from one to two dollars the bushel; etc. The expenses of his household were not less than $2000 a year : his office including the Secretary's salary, stationery, etc $1500. a year: presents to Indians $500 a ·year. To all this is to be added a variety of other expenses, such as expresses, guards, and supplies :for Indian exp~di- tions. Also he bad a heavy surveying debt to pay, as above stated. Besides these expenses, there are many others which can not be mentioned. A large amount of the fees never has been collected, and never will be. Also a considerable amount was lost that was received in horses, which died or were stolen by the Indians. Twelve head wc1'e stolen at one time, ten of them ·mules; at Buclmer's·old placeon the Colorado. , But even supposing that the fees had all been collected and in !lloney: the whole amount of the Commissioner's fees on 300 families at $127.50, is $38,250-of this one third' was· relinquished by the Commr to Austin, which is $12,750-which would not have half paid the expenses of the local govt. and other expenses of the colony from 1823 up to 1828, the time when the Ayuntamt 0 was established; to say nothing of a compensation for Austin's services; and a deduction of more than one half for property payments at an excessive value. It will be remembered that Austin-received no salary from the Govt·., nor any aUowance whatever for the local government of the colony, that all the labor, expense, danger, and responsability ·rested on him alone :-all the vexations, labyrinths of the colony-matters with the government, and with the settlers, who were several tir!lcs in a state of rebellion against him, and always complaining nnd abusing him, because they had anything to pay: he had to bear nil this patiently, as the salvation of the colony required it. The facts as to advances made by Hawkins are as follows: • • The Schooner Lively, a small vessel of about 30 Tons, was pur• chased for $600 in Novr. 1821: of this sum Austin furnished $400, which he borrowed from Lovelace and now owes, with the interest- The Lively brought out 17 or 18 men, emigrants, and provisions
Powered by FlippingBook