The Austin Papers, Vol. 3

THE AUSTIN "PAPERS

it holds out of your being able to leave Mexico in all this month. I hope the measures adopted by the Govt. of the State, will accelerate that matter if not done. On the subject of the Contract for 12,000 ariobas of Cotton which you slate is offered to you, and about which you ask my opinion- I can say it is fair, although the price of Cotton in Europe and the U. S. during the past season, up to the last accounts which I have, would not authorise an expectation of realising much from 5S the arroba, if maintained. McK and W [McKinney and Williams] had Cotton sold at 16½c in Orleans. Still I cannot believe the present prices can hold on, yet at the same time I am of opinion that the market of next season will open not lower than 13c.- If you feel disposed to make a Contract, and want assistance in it you may include McKinney and Williams-giving us information so that we may take advantage of the season, by purchasing small crops from needy planters- The new Sehr· Brazoria got on shore at the mouth of the Brazos in J anY last and was abandoned McK bot her for the purpose of having her naturalised- We have also bot a steam boat for the navigation of the Brazos. I have a letter from McK dated 23d March, he was on the eve of departure for Orleans on board the Schoner Sanfelipe, he informed me that the Steam boat had arrived at N. 0 from the Upper Country. I presume he will return in her. You will hardly recognise the mouth of the River when you return. We are making considerable improvements there, I intend building a dwelling and moveing my family there. McK has been there with his wife for a year. It is extremely inconvenient for me to be at Sanfelipe, and our business in another -quarter. One of us is continually on the wing- As we have no correspondents yet at Vera Cruz nor in Mexico, that know any thing of our standing-I must leave to your management, should you think proper to include McK and W in the Contract for cotton, the regu- lation of security making use of this letter as authority to obligate McKinney and Williams as parties to •the Contract. The delivery the present year, will not probably. yield over 10 to 15 per cent but the prospect for the second year may be rated at from 20 to 25 percent After deducting freight etc. I have presented to Congress a plan for a Bank and asked for a charter for 30 years. I think it will succeed- Capital 1,000,000$ divided into 10,000'Shares at 100$ each If it be obtained, it will facilitate much the Commercial and agricultural business of Texas. There is nothing in my opinion to apprehend about a claim for fees in your old Colony. The present members are not of opinion that the State has any claim.