THE AUSTIN PAPERS 863 this business which are in the highest degree confidential and cannot be explained without a breach of faith. · I have probably done nearly as much to benefit individuals as ever was done by any one man in .A.merica who acted in the humble sphere of an unpatronised, unprotected, and private person. I have been instrumental in laying a broad foundation for the fortunes of many thousands. . The enterprise has succeeded, and begins to at- tract notice ; but no one knows, or seems to care, or to ask, how, or by what means, or through whose instrumentality it has been brought about. The only idea most persons seem to connect with the matter is, that of a mammoth speculation; and they say that Austin, in doing so much for so many, must have done a great deal for him- self. Thus the most erroneous impressions, and the most unjust rumors, are set afloat: Ingratitude,-jealousy, and suspicions are always active and vociferous. What benefit has Austinreceived from the fees of the first colony1 There are six leagues and a half, and two labors, of land which were acquired by purchases from the settlers out of these fees, and deeded to my brother J. E. B. Austin because there was no judicial officer in the colony but me, before whom the deed could be acknowledged. The titles for a part of this are doubtful. . I have also used a part of those fees to pay some of my old debts, but I have also used a large amount of the proceeds of my last contracts that Hawkins had nothing to do with, to satisfy the debts that were properly change- able to the first colony:. and consequently· if the fees of the first colony are to go _with the partnership accounts, all I have paid out of my last contracts on account of the first colony, must be charged to that colony. '\Vhat benefit will Hawkins' estate receive .for the advances he made in fitting out the Lively, and in paying my drafts for the Mexico trip, which was all he did·advance that was of use to the enterprise i The estate gets the half of 22½ leagues of land. I get the other half, and I have done all the labor. In fact I have done every thing alone and without receiving aid from the personal serv- ices, or the capital, of Hawkins to the extent that was originally contemplated. 'l'o recapitulate. The first arrangement with the settlers, as to fees, was distroyed by the interference.of the Govt of Texas. A new arrangement was made by the Govt as to the fees, which allowed Austin to receive none of them. The Commissioner relinquished a part of them to Austin. The pa'rt thus relinquished has been used by Austin for the joint benefit of the partnership; for by that means he has main-
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