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THE AUSTIN PAPERS
have I regretted that I could not take advantage of Henry being on the Spot to secure land in your Colony as Suggested by him-by Clearing out and assure you nothing but the power to do so from the want of means has pre- vented and not the disposition I now look upon those lands as soon to become very valuable-whether by Independence, Cession to the United Sta'tes, or a More Settled and Substantial form of Government under that of Mexico--In my letter to Henry I mentioned, what I here repeat in Con- fidence, that there is little doubt but our Charge de affaires Col. Butler has gone out with instructions to treat with regard to purchase and was to have reported in time for Genl. Jackson's Message to Congress- There is how- ever little chance of his arriving out in time to accomplish the latter object, from his taking this route, I understand he has, through Texas (no doubt on Motives of present interests) and which will r_nake him not the more popular with the Mexican Government-Santa Anna may however from the fear of loosing Texas altogether imbrace the opportunity to secure the best offer he Can as the last and only alternative-- Last and late advices from Mexico give every indication of an other revolution as being near at hand and hint at Santa Anna's joining the liberal or Strongest Party as the only Chance of Securing his popularity and by so doing it is thought he may succeed-He Changes too often for either party to have ·any Confi- dence in him-I am some time without letters from our friend Dale as I got none pr last packet, but hope to be more fortunate by the next-Col. Almonte is Still here-He favored us with several friendly Calls at the House, prior to the late news from Texas-which I presume occupies most of his time to Counteract as far as may be in his power the popular feeli~g in your favor. Says he regrets the Steps you have taken or to find you in opposition to his Government- I met a Gentleman last evening direct from Washington-an old and intimate friend of President Jackson-who says the President has no disposition to inter£ere with any present aid given you by Citizens of the U. S. provided they do not openly Violate the laws of Nations-and that the Mexican Government will not be permitted to press our Merchantsmen for the purpose l)f transporting their Troops Also that orders have been Sent to Pensacola for the Men of War to Cruise in the Gulf of Mexico and a Sloop of War is fitting ·out with all possible dispatch at Philadelphia, to Sail in week or ten days to Cruise between Tampico and _the Mouth of the Mississippi-which will be Very much in your favor and a great protection to Vessels bound into any of your ports- Mrs Holley writes me She has made arrangements for publishing _in Lex- ington, an other Texas-to be out in about Six weeks. with a request that I send her 2000 Copies of the Map, to her first with some additions she has suggested- She was not then aware of your troubles. which when she hears it may delay her book-I had a Visit from brother Charles a Short time
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