452
THE .~USTIN PAPERS
independent republic, and if ·that basis is once adopted by the people of Texas it will never be abandoned- now is the time or never. s F AUSTIN
AusTIN TO MRS. HoLLEY1
Colombia, Texas, Novr. 7 1836
DR COUSIN, Since my return from the U. S: I have been confined much of the time with sickness and am now barely able to get about, or attend to any busi- ness. I have however accepted and entered upon the office of Sec. of State. I am happy to inform you that everything is going on well. All the tem- porary excitements of the past have entirely subsided- Houston goes into office under favourable auspices and harmony and union is the order of the day. Many persons in the U. S. have given much more weight to reports, rumors, and to the temporary and isolated excitements which have at times existed here, than they merit. Such things have their hour, or their day here, as they have in the U. S. but a little time and reflection sets all right again. There is as much union and harmony in all the departments of Govt. and between the civil and military, and amongst the mass of the people, as ever existed in ?my country situated as ours has been. Henry reached home safe, his health is improved and he is in high spirits. All is going right, pay no attention to reports about Texas- Love to Henrietta. s. F. AUSTIN [Endorsed:] 2 letters from Gen: Austin to me and J. Ficklin Esq. 1836. [Addressed:] Mrs. Mary A. Holley Lexington Kentucky To be Mailed in N. Orleans
JAMES COLLINSWORTH TO AUSTIN
Columbia 8 th Nov. 1836
SIR I am satisfied that an Union of Texas with the U States may take place this winter upon the following basis. The Gov. of the U. States to assume our debts to endow liberally Academic Colleges etc. The object of the U. States is the jurisdiction over the soil, its value is of no object to them. lThe original of this letter is in the possession of Mrs. Benjamin G. Crosby, Spring Station, Kentucky. Mrs. Crosby is the great-granddaughter of Mrs. Holley. For this copy I am indebted to Mrs. Charles F. Norton, Librarian of Transylvania University.
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