41.5
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
GEORCE FISHER TO AUSTIN
[New Orleans, August 13, 1836. See Calendar.] AUSTIN TO w. s. ARCHER 1
Peach Point near Velasco August 15 th 1836
W. S. ARCHER 2 DEAR SIR Your most esteemed and truly gratifying letter dated "Elk Hill July 3d. has just been handed to me by my friend Dr B. T. Archer The Kind interest you take in the affairs of this Country, and the ex• pression of your intentions to visit Texas next fall with the probable view of emigrating here, is in the highest degree encouraging, for it gives new life to hopes, which I have long cherished, of seing Texas populated with men who will bring to it such resources of experience, of wisdom, of virtue, and of mental treasures as well as of enterprise, and pecuniary wealth It is no disparagement to the present population of Texas to say that we need such men-all countries need them-tho perhaps not to the extent that this does. Pioneering a wilderness and laying a foundation, require one discription of men, while the aid of another kind is important-to rear upon that foundation such a superstructure as will fully meet the wishes and accomplish the great object of all concerned, which is the general good, and common accommodation and hapiness of all I consider that the foundation is laid-the superstructure is in progress, and is precisely in the stage when able architects are most needed. Texas is fully redeemed from the wilderness, and its independence is virtually achieved- This I call the / oundation- What is to be its future political position- An independent republic, or a member of the U. S.? What the details of its constitution in either Case? What the specific terms of.Admission in the latter Case? How is it to be effected? etc, etc, etc, These Kind of matters are embraced in what I call the superstructure- I am in favor of Annexation to the U. S. I have full confidence that if admitted at all, it will be on the most fair and liberal terms, I think the great mass of the Citizens of Texas are of the same opinion, tho a short time will test the question, as the voters are called upon to express their wish for or against annexation at the general election the first Monday of september next My friends have nominated me a candidate for President at said elec- tions and are sanguine of success- It is not to be supposed howe,·er that
1 From Au~tin's letter book, in file of July 4, 1836. 2w. S. Archer, member of Congress from Virginia, 1820-1835.
Powered by FlippingBook