The Austin Papers, Vol. 1, Part 2
.ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
/. AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION ·• FOR
THE YEAR 1919
IN 1WO VOLUMES VOL. II THE AUSTIN PAPERS EDITED BY EUGENE C. BARKER
PART 2
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WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
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1924
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ADDITIONAL COPIES 01' THIS PUBLICA'l'ION MAY BIi PROCURl!D FROM THII 'sUPIIRlNT!;:NDIINT OJI' DOCUM!INTS GOVIIRNMIINT PRINTING OFFlCII • WASHJNGTON, D, C, AT $1.2S PER COPY
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CORRESPONDENCE 1825-1827
PROCLAlllATION CREATING DISTRICT OF BRAVO
Stephen F. Austin Judge Commissioned for the Colony of the Brazos and Colorado in the Province of Texas-Charged by the Superior Authorities with the Municipal Government of this Colony provisionally and [until] it is otherwise regulated, and it appearing to be the wish of the settlers in that part of the Colony heretofore called the District of the Brazos-that the name of said district should be changed to that of Bravo after the distinguished hero and Republican Patriot, Gen' Nicolas Bravo the vice President of these United States, Therefor I have thought proper to order and by these presents do order that the said District heretofore called Brazos shall in future be called the District of Bravo, and shall keep the said name of Bravo until the superior Govt. direct other- wise- Given etc Jany 1-1825 Stephen F Austin Judge Commissioned for the Colony on the Brazos and Colorado rivers in the Province of Texas- - I certify that at an election held at the house of Andrew Rob- inson by the inhabitants of the district of Bravo on the 1 day of January of this year for an alcalde for said District for the year one thousand Eight hundred and twenty five John P. Coles was duly elected Alcalde of said district and that he may be respected and obeyed accordingly I give him this document San Felipe de Austin, Jany 5, 1825 This day personally appeared before me Stephen F. Austin Judge commissioned for the Colony on the Colorado and Brasos the above John P. Coles Alcalde elected for the district of Bravo for the year 1825 and took the oath to support the Constitution of the United States of Mexico and of the State of Coahuila and Texas and faithfully and impartially to execute the duties of Alcalde for said district of Bravo for the year one thousand eight hundred twenty five
ANTHONY R. CLARKE TO AUSTIN
Autoyack 2 nd J an 1 1825
DEAR Sm Since my return home the influence of John I Clarke Monk an others have put Mrs Page quite in favour of moving to the Brass'os. it is by her request that I now write you to request that if it is not 1009
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too late yol'l will reserve a League of la.nd for us. if proper you may enter it in the name of Mrs Eliza Page widow of the late vVm- A. Page and her three sons or in my name if the above should not be prc:,per Mrs Pages object in that Country would be to make a living by keeping a house of entertainment. for this purpose I should require two lots in Town ajoining as one would oe too small to hold the necessary buildings and stables, I should likewise stand in need of a Labour to furnish firewood and timber as well as raise corn and vegetables for the family-If I can arang my business as I have a prospect of doing my plan is to come out and put up the necessary building in the Spririg and then move out, I wish you would write me in answer to this which must determin my coming to the Brassos- I wish my Idea of moving to the Brassos may not be macl0 public as it would injure the sale of my improvement here- ANTHr. R CLARKE [Rubric] Col Stephen F. Austin
HUMPHRY JACKSON TO AUSTIN
Dn. Sm Agreeable to your [request] of the 22. of Deer. I Cald on Mr· Lynch Mr-Scott and Straing and finding it would be the saim diffi- culty as before owing to the Pertinaciousness of Lynch I named 6 Men and alowed him to object to any· he did not like the other Two agreed to the saim men we appointed the 1 st of J anry to :Meet Mr. Hughs and Two of the Arbitrators not appiering l\1r- L wanted to appoint another day he not greeing to name any Two that was present we proceded to lay of ·the Labor l\1r. L Calcl in John Tay- lor to prove Conditional Lines between Straing and Scoot it also appierd that Lynch extend his claim at different times it was since a falling out betwen him and Straing that he Claimed the spot he was contending for Straing setled by Consent of parties inclosecl you have a copy of the decision which in my oppinion is a Just one and have don equal Justice to all parties- I with pleasure inform you this is the first business of any consequence I have don as Al- calde and is in hopes that my time of service will expire more agre- able than I expected-I wish to call your attention to setting a per- manent ferry on the San Jacinto at the .Mouth of Buflow Byo we laibour under a grait disadvantage at present It is the most cen- tral place to do business in this district and I expect the main thor- oughfare rode will be this way I thinck it ought not to be left at the will of those who taick it in their tract of land and live at a distance I have been thinking of several wais such as laing a La- bore or reserveing a place for a Town you are the best Judge I know of no peri;on wishing to settle there but am certain [there
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would be some if some] regulations wair made. There has been some taulck of cuting a road from Bu:ffiow B and crossing the San Jacinto at my House it would be much the shorter and perhaps the best but I thinck we have better spend our time in raising Corn as yet H U�IPHRY JACKSON Jan 17 6 1825 To Corl. Steven F Austin Chief of Austin Colony Excuse the smallness of this paper I have got very little and can o.ot procure any here HJ
GASP.AR FLORES TO AUSTIN
Bexar 7 de En ° de 1825
Sor. Dn ESTEVAN AusTIN. MuY Son. MIO Y AMIGO: recibi su grata 23 Diciembre p 0 p 0 en la qe. me dice le de noticias y le mande algunos exemplares p 11 imponerse del estado en qe. se halla nuestro actual Govierno porqe. se halla V. sin saver ninguna cosa, casi en el mismo estado estam. os aqui par no haber tropa qe. corra la Balija se pasa un mes y asta cerca de dos sin qe. tengamos correo como ha sucedido en el presente: . en principio del mes pasado remiti a V. algunos soberanos deoretos •y le noticio de haberse pasado en esta Capital la Constitucion Federal delos Estados Unidos 1Yiexicanos y no le remiti a V. un exemplar por no haber venido mas de uno solo qe. se halla archivado en el Archivo de Govierno pero luego qe. di abiso de haberse jurado pedi exemplares p a qe. se repartan a las demas pm1tos de esta com prenc1on. Yo creo qe. en la Bahia deve estar detenida la Corresp a qe. remiti a V. ya hago encargo a Jose Maria avendafio pa qe. la pida al Alc e . dela Bahia y la ponga en manos de V. Tenemos par Presiclente dela Federacion lHexicana al Sor D n Guadalupe Victoria, y de vice Precidente al Sor. D 11 Nicolas Bravo, el dia de inafiana sale de aqui el correo a traer el correo qe. esta detenido en Riogrande hac.e- mas de un mes Luego qe. venga comuni care las noticias qe. vengan y estamos esperando la constitucion de este Estado. Suplico aV. me diga sabre el asunto de qe. le escrivo en mi anterior qe, esta detenida en la Bahia qe. como digo a V. lleva encargo dho. Avendafio de reclamar y llevarsela a V. pueda ser qe. ala llegada de mi compadre D n Erasmo a esta Capital vallamol! s hacerle aV. una vesita y a darle un abrazo. GASP.An FLORES [Rubric]
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FRANCIS BIGOA.l\C TO AUSTIN
:Monroe :Missippi January 8-1825
Corn 18 AUSTIN Sm I now for the first time Cince I left you embrace the op- pertunity to write to inform you of my Situation and interest relitive to the brases and the reasons of my Detenshions Cinse I Came home I have been in Georgia and South Carolina and should have started to the Brasses imadeantly on my arival :from Georgia if I was not compeled to attend two suits of law which I had instituated some time before I went out to see you one for the killer of my negroe and the oather against a villin for altring a Hog marke which will hee Detarmed in all in Aprile and I then flatter my self that some time in may I shall have the pleasure of seeing you acompined by my brouther and family as it will not bee in :Merritts power to Come for a short time as hee has a great Deale of business to sittle but will bring a hand to improve his plase I shall bring my familey by water and am about to start to orlains to procure ·a vessel for that purpose Mr. ,villiams the bearer of this has confirmed me in my nost sanguin oppinion of the brasses being the most Desirable part l'f the Continant I have said and Don every thing I Could in its favour but how can I stand against prejudice and folshoods but time will Dispele the hate and I hope I shall live to see it improve and flurish I have been informed that you have Designated my lands and I have now Doubt but there situation in point of ad- vantage is Calculated to please on my arival as I have made loud ex- petations on that head as I often thinke and speake of the lands on the mile - [illegible] as that seems to bee my favourat spot but shall refar all to my arivale as I flater my self that I shall ever .finu a Cincere friend in you for if I was not confirmed in that opinion I Could [be] happy and make money where I am you will present my best wishes to all my :friends with you :Mr Tong Cor 18 Pettes and familey Mr Bell and familey and all a.cquentences I Could sitt and write a volum to you on the subject of the braces [Brazos] but as the time is short [until] I shall a.rive I will wave the subject to then and 1 hope you will accept my best wishes for your health and ha,ppiness and that I shall soon bee one to ad to the number of your Contry and as such I will subscribe my self your frien-d and obt St. FRA 8 BIOOAM Do give my love to your brother
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RoBEnT LEw1s TO A usTIN
San.ta Rosa January 9th 1825
CoL. A us,:1N • D. Srn I arrived at this place the 11 th Novr the Comisary made many difficuties, respecting the duties, I told him I was not liable to pay duties, ns he demanded he would not suffer me to sell without paying. I applied to the Alcalda and got him to witness the taking of an Inventory of the goods and let the sales go on, and for me to go ·to Saltillo and on my return if I did not convinc~ them I was not subject to pay duties, I would pay them, on my return I offered to pay the duties he refusd to take them, nor would not suffer me to go without leaving my goods in his possession or giving security for the whole amount, stating he had represented my case to the Comisary Ge 1 at Saint Luis Potosi, and that he might order him to take possession of them and from his misrepresentation, he ordered him to take possession of them and to forward my pas- por[ t ]s or other papers to him stating they must be forw 4 etc I wold not let him take possession he cald on the Alcalda to assist him in taki1:1g possession of them. I cald on the Alcalda, as a Civil • Officer to protect me and my goods, and offered him security as if I was liable to pay duties, the comisary objected to the security without, they would put in pawn in money :Money pater [plata] or, paster [pasta], to the amount of the goods, I told .the Alcalda, I was willing to give security, agreeable to law and would not give security in any other way, and after a few days, the Alcalda took the security. A large mijority of the people of this place aro convinct the Comisary's treatment to me are improper, he is very uneasy at this time respecting his treatment towards me, it will be 2 or 3 weeks yet I expect before I git returns from the Comisary Ge 1 . The Governor has granted to me and Bynum 10 Leagues of Land which I hope will meet your approbation, as it will not be any thing against your private Interest, or the public good,-! have several times spoke of Nixon, and find he is very unpopular in this part of the Country, I named to Barron; of his threats against you,-sales are very dul owing to the scarcity of money and an over- stock of goods in the country,-! expect it will be 3 months yet before my return,-The Indians are very troublesome they do a grate deal of mischief, killing people and taking of Ca.viards,,- I wish you to. forward the inclose to Col Bynum by the first safe op- portunity. Col S. F. Austin RonERT LEwrs [Rubric]
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ELECTION RETURN
The Poles of an Ellection held for Alcalda for the Collorado District at the H [o J use [of] R Alley on the 10th. Jan. 1825
R Alley
James Cummins
W B Dewees-1 J. Ross-1. Robert Brotherton-1 A. W. McClane--1 Daniel Holowa.y- 1 B. Beason-1 George Duty-1 John Tumbleston-1 Na.than Osborn-1 Vincent Rodrigues-1 James }.fcNare--1 James Cook-I IgnatiG Cortines-1
V\Te the Judges Certify the above is just and true
ROBT. BROTHERTON JAMES J\icNAin
JoHN P. CoLEs TO AusTIN 1
January 11 th 1825
DEAR Sm I recd your of the 6 th Instant and Enclosed I fom1d Gaines letter as Respects the Horse Mitchial let him [have] at my House in my absence with ·a request that I should try and pay Gaines with tl1e Horse end if Gaines did not take the 1-lorse to pay Gaines myself and keep the Horse and If I did not want the Horse he would pay me some other way and take Back the Horse However when Gaines Returned ·from Saint Antonio I told him of the Horse he said he would take him But we could not find the Horse and consequently believed he had been stolen by some Spaniards who had passed when the Horse Ran sunday after I found the Horse and had him valued Intending to dispose of him as he was Trouble- some and constantly trying to Run of he was supposed by Byrd Capt Jones and others to be worth five or six dollars in cash I then saw Mitchal and Told him the Horse would not pay his debt to Gains which· wn,s $12- he observed he did not know hpw he
• See Gaine1 to Austin, November 1, 1824,
THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 1015 should pay it I then Told him I would take the Horse and pay Gains for him which he Readily agreed to this was the first time I have seen Mitchal from the time Gains left the acct with me and as to his having any claims to the Horse or ever seeing the Horse or my ever Receiving the Horse for, him or agreeing to send the Horse or any thing Else to him is a palpable Lye for he has my Receipt and I never should send him any thing Untill my Receipt was presented he Requested me to Collect those debts and R~ceiYe Land office money in payment the 12$ which I promised to pay for :Mitchal is Ready when my Receipt is presented as Respects Halls Business and Robersons and Gaynes you will find inclosecl the original acct in favour of Gaynes for $14.25 protested by Rober- son and an affidavit of J W Hall on the Back of said acct proving the sum of fourteen Dollars and 25 cts paid to Gaynes by him for Roberson as also you will find Lewis Holloways deposition in the cnse the petition and affidavit of Hall and Ex:ecutn and attach- ment you will discover from Halls affidavit that he claimed four- teen Dollars and 25 cts in cash and had it not been for an arrange- ment which I made with Hall myself in Order to favor Guynes the sum which payed the debt would not have paid the One. forth part of it there is an account now in my office for $9-Dollars which is Similar to the above It is claimed by Roberson and proven by Holloway to have been passed by Roberson for Hall to Gaines and afterwards paid by Hall Roberson has been peti- tioned for an attachipent in that case against "Gains but I have still put him of upon the whole they are I fear a <lambed sett ·of Rascals and Gaynes the worst of all JNo P. CoLEs [Rubric] [Addressed:] S. F. Austin Political Chief. and Judge of the Col- ony San F D Austin
JOHN ..I:'. COLES TO .AUSTIN
11th January 1825
DEAR Srn You will find inclosed the Transfer of Brooks to Speers the original or the Coppy that was delivered to Brooks he carrye<l off Speers has assigned his name on the note given by Brooks for Sixty five dollars, to be paid in Specys It will be due next October the note I will hand to you on sight JNo P COLES [.Addressed:] ·Col. S. F. Austin San filipe de Austin 01; !Ylr. Berry.
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RAWSON ALLEY TO AUSTIN
Col. STEPHEN F AusTIN. I send you the returns, of the Land below Eagle Lake with the amount of the Surveying of Each League Set down on the back of the return, which I would be glad you would receive, if the locaters have property that suits you, and credit my account with the same. I was mistaken some in the Quantity of Land in the 13 th and 14lii Leagues there was no more than the common Quantity with out takeing in the Lake and a Larger portion of the prairie than usual give Andrew and Thomas Rabb their Deeds if they want them I have made an arrangement for the Surveying with them if they want to know the amount of Surveying $129 is the nmount of the 8 th and· 9 th Leagues • R, ALLEY [Rubric] January 11 th 1825
JOHN P. COLES TO AUSTIN
12 January 1825
JEAR Sm I left Mr Sims at the Saint Antonio Road yesterday be sends you the Notes of my Hacienda and the notes of Gates Tract the Body of my Survey is in the office and all you want is to connect the oblong or arm that includes the Mill Seat - I know nothing about old Furnash's Improvement I did not know that be had an Improve- ment of corse agreeable to your Directions Sims split the Two Leagues Between Furnash and Lynch or Byrd or who Ever it may fall to furnash is on the Lower Hall adjoining my line I dont know How to arrange it with him nor what he wants other than the arrangemt allready made I dislike the Trouble of going to see him and having the surveys all altered again However I will <loo any ways you wish in order to get it done Sims is going on Rapidly now and will be down with me when I come down which will be in a few days I must go to see furnash before I come down and make some arrangement with him Sims has taken a wife she is a very fine Looking woman and all Tolld that I know I cant get any pork for you.in this part of the Country tel Mr Stafford that I can get One Hundred Bushels of corn for him ·from the :Milicarn:i at the ten mile creek no other corn can be had in this part of the country I cannot get any pork for him and if he intends to take the corn from the 1Ylilicans be must let me know immediately CoLES [Rubric] [Addressed:] SF Austin Political chief and Judge of the ColonY San F De Austin
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SAUCEDO TO A US TIN
Bexar y En° 12 de 1825.
Sr Ten 11 • Coron•. Dn. EsTEVAN AusTIN :tvli siempre e~timado amigo y duefio: Siento no lograr la oportu- nidad de pasar a saludar a Ud y a todos los amigos ahora que se presenta la· conducta del am 0 • gr. Franco. Rojo; porque me lo impicle la falta de! correo de afuera que hace serca de tres meses que no se recibe, y no puedo separarme de aqui sin saber como fue recibiclo Ntro. am 0 • Baron en la legislatura, y el estado en que se hallan los asuntos de nuestra prov•· para comunicarselos a Vmd. como tan interesado en el beneficio de ella. Al tiempo de marchar el dho ntro. amigo Baron me dejo un documento dela parte que a V d y a mi nos seclio clelos clerechos que le corresponden delas posesiones que dio a los habitantes de esos Rios, el qua! llevare para manifestarselo a. V d en esta primavera, salvo otra ocurrencia. Si para entonces conoce V d que esos Ciuda- danos, 6 los que se hayan establecido en San Jacinto y Galveston pueden dar a cuenta de dha pension mil y quinientos, 6 dos mil pesos, le agradecere mucho practique esta diligencia a pretesto de que el comisionado los pide p• sostenerse en su destino, con cuya suma puesta en giro segun acordemos yo y V d si gustan tener parte en ello no hay cluda que podremos tener algunas utilidades. Tambien suplico a V d se sirva para ese tiempo 6 para despues solicitaron una calesita como la que trajo el sitado Baron, con su par de caballos. Este cuerpo exanimo ya parece que tomara nueva vida pues comiensa a recibir caudales para socorrer sus Tropas. Tenga Vmd la bondad de ponerme alas ordenes de su hermano el Sr Dn Santiago, primo Dn Juan y Amigos; mandando con toda satis- faccion a su afmo Serv. q. s. m. b. JOSE ANT°· BA UCEOO
WILLIAM LITTLE TO AUSTIN
Fort Settlement 13 th Jany. 1825
DEAR Sm I know so little of the situations of Ivir Staffords League that I am unable to say positively that I will make Exchange with him if he has a good situation for stock at the Prairie I think he can be accomodated with two hundred acres (not more.) by his paying all Expenses of surveying Transfers etc and obligating himself to move on to the land he may get of me with his family in the course of next fall. I wish to have one or two good neighbours and will
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go as far as I can without loss to accomodate an industrious man with a situation-I will be in Town as soon as the roads are so I can get up-we can then have a chat on the subject and no doubt make the arangement to suit all Parties-Your colony Sir, is in- creasing fast at least this bend of the Brasos. on the ~orning of the 7th Inst Mrs Andrews had Two fine Girls in the evening of the same day Mrs. Little had a stout Boy. all doing well-Mrs H Jones had a son on last day of Deer. Wm LIITLE • [Rubric] Col S. F. Austin My Father will go to Town with me to arange our land as soon as we can get up.-he has been very unwell for some time but is getting better yours-vV. L. Please to have the papers arranged so t~at may not have to stay long in Town- J. IIAMS TO AUSTIN Cedar Buyo Jan"· 15th 1825 Di:AR Srn I have seen Mr Cook and he has the variations of the compass on the same side of the need.le that I have and says.Mr Hunter is wrong. The Variation is Easterly and Consequently the North point of the needle is on the East or Right hand of the true North, and each line must be run on the left hand of that point of the needle which is foremost on the Course. Now I am ready to give .testimony and the lines will prove that l\fr Hunter has run my lines on the right hand of the Need.le and consequently they are wrong. I have also found some other Errors in the survey as himself has suspected in Closeing the lines, but I wish him not to survey it again as I believe he will still be liable to many Errors. As proper Land-marks between Neigh- bours are of great Consequence in the preservation of peace and har- mony and my future exertions will probably be on this piece of ground, I would desire that my lines be run agreeable to the Cus- tomary rul~s observed in this Province Therefore I shall proceed to survey the land my self and send you the field notes unless a line from you or some other informa- tion should spare me the trouble As the Timber on my land is extremely scarce and all too short for several of the purposes of building which I contemplate and I shall be under the necessity of Resorting to other Lands for a supply: I will therefore send you the field notes of a Labour where timber is uniformly plenty and no Claimant ne[a]r I will be ready to make payment according to Custom and hope in some way it will be granted •
THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 1019 I have not had the opportunity of seeing Mr Hunter since I saw you but am informed that he declares that he has made no Errors in his survey, I have paid him about $20 and will pay him any othet· part which he may Justly be entitled to as I stated to you before even tho, I should survey the whole myself. Dier Sir I write to you with the full assurance of your friendship wishing to give you as little trouble as I can as some of my Neigh- bours have already given you too much concerning their Lands A line from you on the above subject will be received with pleasure and all orders promptly obeyed by J. IIAMS Col. S. F. Austin P. S. I have understood that $3.50 will -be demanded in cash at your office for my Deed which would have been paid when I saw yon had I known the circumstance but I will pay it at the first oppor- tunity. If I am wrong in the variation of the compass I am willing to pay the cost of proving it J. I. • •
SETH INGRAM: TO AUSTIN
Col. AusTIN Dukes place Jan. 16 th 1825. • Srn I recd•. your communication to wm. Kincheloe to send you the plat of the Leagues on the Colorado from Kuykendalls League •down. I have sent them over; and accompanying them you will find the field notes of several Leagues in the Bay Prairie and one on the Bernard. Mr Selkirk has run off the Leagues on the West side of the Colorado, and :from actual survey some of the lines differ consid- erable from the plat, and those numbers that differ you will find either over or under the othe1:s and a bar across them thus, 7720 8100 in this way I have corrected all the lines, on the west side of the river Those Leagues where Selkirk run on both sides of the river closed very well, and very little alterntion had to be made. Be careful and reccollect that those numbers that have the bar accross them are the right ones-We have run the Leagues as far down as Dukes pla-ce and have not yet touched the Lake that Williams lines on. I cali it' a Lake because, since I left town I have been down to Williams and find that _the south end of it is about two miles from Williams. "\Ye go into the woods again tomorrow and shall succeed in finishing I • think by the middle of Feb. if nothing uncommon takes place- I understand that Mr Buckner has be~n to Town and made ap- plication for the League takin~ in the fo1·ks of Hunney and Cnnej,
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creeks, that is a choice that I made more than one month ago, run- ning it so as to take in the forks and the head of tide if it would do both, I have not yet got any land on tide water and do not think that l\fr. Buckner has done quite right in taking that advantage of me, however, I shall leave it to you to make it right.- I have heard of Mr. Tong at Esqr· Bells but have not yet seen him. I have no more at present, but remain with due respect your friend n.nd humble
Col. S. F. Austin,
JAMES A. E. PHELPS TO AUSTIN
Pinckneyville l\fi. Jan 16 th 1825
Col. STEPHEN F. AusTIN DR. Sm
Agreeable to mutual promise I have the pleasure of now address- ing you by mail, and of informing you that after a journey of 18 days from St Felipe De Austin I arrived safe home: with the ex- • ception of some bad weather, and some high water, a pleasant jour- '. ney.· The emigrating, or Texas fever prevails to an extent that your · wishes would no more than anticipate-It has ·pervaded all classes . of the citizens of this state and the adjoining; from the men with ' capital, to the man that wishes to acquire a liveing-Nothing ap- : pears at present, to prevent a portion of our wealthy planters from : emigrating immediately to the province of Texas but the uncer-: tainty now prevailing with regard to the subject of slavery-There has been a parragraph that has gone the round of Nuse paper publi- cation in the :Middle States, perporting to be an extract from a Mexican paper; which precludes the introduction of negro property into the Mexican Republick, without exception: Subjecting the per- sons so offending to the severest ·penalties, and also an immediate emancipation of thos slaves now belonging to the citizens of the province of Texas; and fredom to the slave that touclies the soil of .Mexico- .If this be a fact it will check the tide of emigrating spirits at once: and indeed it has had its influence already-I have pledged myself to my friends to ascertain the fact if possible; and I know of no other way to satisfy the publick mind on the subject, but by appl_ication to yourself for a cupy of the new cons.titution, and a promulgation of the same so soon as practicable-I have ventured to contradict so much of the report and publication as relates to your _colony, upon the a~thority of your self, so far, as garranteeing the right ·of that species of property under consideration-That por-
THE AUSTIN PAPERS, 1021 tion of the Mexican Republick is becoming every day more and more an object of interest with this portion of the United States- There is not a day passes that I am not callcl on to give (the super- ficial) information that I am in possession of as regards your coun- try: and have to regret that I am not able to satisfy the eager, yet not idle curiosity of my friends-If slavery is tolerated by the new constitution I could wish, for the benefit of your self, and others that you would petition the government for extension of territory, and colonial location, so as to comprise the Trinity and its waters: Three Hundred familys more can be settled in less than two years-- A very considerable number of Gentlemen of fortune will visit the colony this Spring, from this section of Country-with a view of becoming citizens-I will inform you further on the subject in due time- The death of my Father in Law during my absence has derange my calculations· in some degree, as it may cause some delay in th moving of my family but it is more than probable that the whole family of Col Kirby will move when I doo-Please give my best respect to Capt Austin and Mr Williams. Tell the latter that I am anxious to hear from him, and likewise to receive a map of the colony, which he promised- Be so good as to designate the bounds of my Labours an the Deed so soon as surveyed, and send me a coppy JAMES A E PHELPS
A.H. PHILIPS TO AUSTIN
Colorado J an 7 17, 1825 Sm We have examined the Labours on this river and situated 5 th 6th 9 th on the west and the 5 th on the East sides of the river-Our horses being much worn puts it out of our power to return by your office to make entries in person but hope that you will reserve the land for us .A.H. PHILIPS Stephen ·F. Austin Esq
THOMAS GRAY TO AUSTIN
Colorado January 19 th 1825
Col 0 S. F. AUSTIN Sir I have made choice of the seventh Eighth and 12 th Leagues if either of these Leagues are vacant please to enter one for me.
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Al\IBRICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
Mr John Demiss also requests one if there are two yet vacant entered for him. I have made choice ·of the seventh Labour, on the west side of the river. N. B. those Leagues lies near the head of the Bay Prairie THOMAS GRAY
JuAN }.lAnTIN DE BEREMENDI TO AusTIN
Al recivirme del Govierno de esta Capital como Alcalde 1°. y Gefe Civil Accidental en su Distrito, encuentro que el Comisionado qe. fue a esa Villa Baron de Bastrop entreg6 a los fondos de esta Provincia mil pesos que dieron los Ciudadanos del mando de V. en avono de posesiones que les hizo diciendo de palabra aun queda- ban onze mil p 11 • qe. reca~dar en dos plazas, y como de estos no entreg6 Documento justificado (de que ya le escrivo a dho Sor Baron.) espero me diga V. algo sobre la materia que tanto interesa al mejor orden y desempefio de mi deber e ygualmto el estado de la oferta de granos que hicieron los Ciudadanos de esa Villa para Diputado y otros gastos. Dios y Libertad-Bexar y Enero 19 de 1825 JUAN MARTIN DE BEREl\IENDI [Rubric] Sor. Tente. Coronel Dn. Estevan Austin
KNIGHT AND WHITE TO AUSTIN
Fort Settlement Jan" 22 4 1825,
Col. S. F. AUSTIN Sm We are informed by Capt. Chreesman that the Quarter of a league of land we are to receive in right of the late Capt. Singer has been laid off in the rear of a Quarter belonging to l\fr. Nelson- From our intimacy with Capt. Singer we know it was not his wish to have in that way and·we assure you it is entirely contrary to ours-We state this to you thinking it must have been represented that we prefered it in the way it is now surveyed and request that you will permit it to be run through from the river to the prairie in the same manner that all the other Quarters have been- . KNIGHT AND WHITE P. S. Mr. White will leave here next week for New Orleans and will take charge of any thing you may wish to send with pleasure- one of us will be up in a day Kand W
1023
THE AUSTIN PAPERS.
THOMAS GRAY TO AUSTIN
Colorado January 2Wd 1825 DEAR Sm I received verbal information from you by Capt Burn- ham informing me that neither of the Leagues selected by me; as my choice would be entered by you in my name; if I have intrudacl upon you by pre·senting to you in writing the 7 th 8 th and 12 Leagues as my choi~e of either please excuse the intrusion. ,v ere I placed in affluence as is the situation of some df your applicants I am of opinion that you would have attended to and recd my Entry by Capt Burn- ham. I hope you may bestow the Land; or rather sell it to a more worthy than I am; I wish every thing that may contribute to the wellfare of the colony. to your health and happiness • N. B. Sir I would be thankful to you if you would confer the favour upon me of sending me a Certificate Certifying that I have no land in this colony and oblige your friend THOMAS GRAY Col. Stephen F. Austin
THOMAS M. Du.KE TO AusTIN
Colorado Jan 7• 23 1825
Coln, STEPHEN F AUSTIN Sir having been informed by Mr R. Alley that you have allowed me a labor at this River I wish you to enter for me the Seventh as Captai~ Grey has declined taking any land in this Colony and has resigned that labor in my favor I have the survey as receipt for the surveying of the thirtieth league and will get Mr. Alleys receipt for the labor and would wish to have my deed as soon as it would be convenient as I shall not be in town more than once before I go to Kentucky which will.be as soon as the Grass rises in the Spring Tho 11 • ~1. Duke [Rubric]
ERASMO SEGUIN TO AUSTIN
Mexico 26. de Enero cle 1825. Al\nGo l\UO: Contesto asu apreciable de 5. de Nov 8 • del afio anterior y digo: que he recivido la solicitud q. con ella me acompafi6 y el villete de banco importante en 100. p• p" los gastos de papel etc; y como y6 ceso en mis funciones de Diputado d_escle el 24. del mes de Dic 0 '. proximo pasado. la he recomenclaclo ami succesor Licd 0 Dn. D'fon 1 Santivafies y Cevallos, con todo el apoyo necesnrio pa su mejor exito. El actual estado de dha. solicitud es muy lisongero; todos los amigos diputados estan por ella, y creo q. se va. adespachar 25067°-24--voL 2, PT 2--2
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AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
muy breve, y con arreglo a los deseos de V. asi en el perm1so pa· introducir nuevo numero de familias como dela abilitacion de puerto, y establecim 10 de una Villa en la Isla de Galbaston. Como este asunto despues de evacuado aqui 6 despachado, se necesita remitirlo ala legislatura clel estado pa lo mas q. tiene q. •hacer, ya vere quando pase por alli, el modo q. me doy con los ami- gos, y pa.rientes Diputados pa que no lo clemoren, y provean favo- rablem 18 enla parte q. les toca; concluyendo loq. tengo q. hablar en este asunto, conq. admito la oferta q. V. me hace, con tal deq. V. sea elq. lo hade clirigir todo. Me ocurre dar aV. una incomodidad y es: que se sirva encargarme ' a N. Orleas, una Calesa, 6 Faeton pn el uso de mi familia: que sea de los mas bonitos y buenos q. se esten usando; de quatro Ruedas, y de una lanza, pa p. la estiren dos caballos, con sus correspondients guarniciones: que sea nueba y n6 vieja, fuerte, bien enyantada, y de muy buen charol; Su valor q. supongo no suvira de 250. a 300. p 11 podra V. disponer de ellos en Bexar dentro de 3 meses con- tados desde esta fha. Vea V. si puede servirme este carruage pa el mes de Mayo venidero, 6 lo mas pronto q. se puecla, q. quiero darle gusto ami muger enq. se pasee en un mueble de estos, q. tanto le acomodan. Sirvase V. ponerme ala disposicon. de su familia, y muy particu- 1 armte. ala de Ntro. D. Santiago Austin, q. porq. se ha olvidado de u antiguo amigo; vea enq. otra cosa pueda serle util, quien le 1esea todas felicidades, yes su am 0 q. lo estima y B. S. M. ERASMO SEGUIN [Rubric] gr. Dn. ESTEVAN F. AUSTIN.
RAFAEL RAMOS y VALDES TO AUSTIN
Salt 0 • 27 de En°· de 1825.
s. D. FELIPE DE OSTEN. Mi muy amado Am 0 • y duefio de tocla mi consideracion: Con el aprecio debido he visto su ultima apreciable en que me recomienda su solicitud sobre avilitacion del puerto de que me acompafia. En qto: dice relacion a ese Departamento se ha conclucido este Congresso con qta: generosidad y actividad como podra decirlo aV mi Comp 0 y Am 0 • el Sor. Baron; mas no estando en las atribuciones de esta Legis- latura el prover por si a la avilitacion de aquel puerto, no se puede hacer otra cosa de nuestra parte que recomendarlo al Gov 0 • Supremo. Hoy se ha concluido la discusion de los arts. comprensivos de las atribuciones que ha de tener el Gefe provisional de ese Departa- mento: se ha decretado que tal nombramiento sea provisional por considerar que la Constitucion no se concluira muy pronto, y qe. hay en esos Pueblos una necesidad suma. de una Autoridad, qe siendo supr·
..
THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 1025 P, Ia de los Alcaldes sirva como de un Agente subalterno al GoV°· El 1 °· 9e el p 0 • mes entrante se presentara la Ley de Colonizacion de cste Estado, y pronto entrnremos en su discusion: actualmente estamos trabajando sobre los medios de asegurar en esta Capl. una Factoria con el objeto de hacer mas fructifera la renta del tabaco, unica con qe. el Estaclo puecle contar pa· cubrir la mayor parte de sus gastos. No hay alguna otra cosa digna de poner en su conocimiento; por lo mismo concluyo asegurandole qe. amo a V s~nceramente y que tendre mucha complacencia si me impone sus ordenes. RAF 1 RAMOS y V ALOES [Rubric]
RAWSON ALLEY TO AUSTIN
Col S F AusTIN Sir I send you the returns of Andersons, Pettys and Tobars, Pettuses, Duty and Eaclses, Sitos of Land and De :Mosses Labor by Col Pettus :My Provisions gave out which prevented me from going any further up the River I intend going down the River as Soon as I can go to the Cane brake and back, to finish my work below, if you wish any more Land surveyed on the '\Vest side of the Rivet· Opposite the Lake than I have orders for let me know by the first opportunity. 1\!Iy hands will be a.t my House till I return from th~ Cane brake if you should write before I return; I think there will be some very good Leagues below if the[y] Can be Laid about four miles on the River as the Timber is very narrow it will not do very well to lay it off in square Leagues; John Tobar only • wanted one mile Square where he Lives if he wishes it• so after seeing the Lines I will take it off his hands and pay the charges in proportion but no more which word I sent to him; '\Vhiting wished me to let you know that he wishes to take Land below in the Bay Prairie J an 1 • 29 th 1825 RAWSON ALLEY [Rubric] Col Stepben F Austin N B the surveying of Jesse Burnams Land comes to seventy four Dollars 89½ cents R ALLEY [Rubric] I gave George Duttys return to him as he said he was going over in a few days •
J. IIAMS TO AUSTIN
Sanja Cinto January 29 th • 1825
DEAR Sm Messrs Henry and Micajah Munson living at present on this side trinity and being somewhat disappointed in their Settlement by the
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AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
overflow of that River desire me to enquire of you whether they can be admitted into your Colony and obtailll. the title of Land . If they can be admitted they wish to have Lands near me 011 Cedar buyo where there are no other Claims and they will commence settlement Immediately They are men of Respectability having each a family and about 17 Slaves each with good stock of Cattle etc., etc. They also wish to enquire whether more Land can be granted in proportion to the number of Sla.ves They will in all probability be good pay for whatever Land may be granted them and I shall be happy in having them for neighbours please write me a line on the above Subject and if they will be accepted direct the survey as they are desireous to have it accomplished There are others wishing to apply.in the same way if any more grants can be made J. IIAMS Col. S F Austin
GEORG~ HUFF TO AUSTIN
Woodville January 29 th 1825
MYDn Sm
this will Be Handed to yoo By Jacob Huff :My Son and Peter ponrad with him I wish thep.1 to stay with yoo ontil I get there I 3hall start from this Place in ten days :Mr Brooks who is with the Boyes is a Good and Honest 1Yian I wish yoo to Settle him as Near the Mill Seat as you Can I wish yoo to furnish Him with tools to git me a set of House Logs on the Bernard ontil I Git there as·I Must attend to the Building of the Mills I Shall Be there with A strong force and good work men I think to Have them in oparation in August Next or I Shall Lose My Judgement of Mill Building I think I will not Make Such a Hand of it as [Mr.] Toung did I wish you to show the Cane Brake . . . [on] John Huffs League to Mr. Brooks as he will make [a crop next~] year :Mr Jesse H Cartright will . . . he takes About fifty negros . . . to Have Land as he goes on My word I wish you to Let him Have a Good League of Land for he is as good A 1Yian as we have in this Country I wish you to Procure Me two yok of well Broke oxen and About 80 Bushels of Corn for I Shall want them things as Soon as I Git there all the things you Sent for By Me will Be there in Due time :Mr Halleman dont go this spring as you saw through him I Shall say nothing About him ontil I see you .I have A Great Deal to write But as it will Be But A few days ontil I See you I Shall stop GEO HUFF Col S f Austin
1027
THE AUSTIN PAPERS.
J. A,.. E. PB.ELPS TO AUSTIN
Pinckney ville [Mississipi] Jan. 29 th 1825
Col. SrnPHEN F. AusTIN Dear Sir.
I have the oportu.nity of complying with my promise to send you some Garden seeds by :Mr. Huff I hope they will be to your lik- ing-On the 18 th Inst I wrote you by 1\'Iail; I hope you have Re- ceived the ·same- J A:\n~s A: E. PHELPS [Rubric]
AncHrnALD AusTIN To AusTIN
New York J an 7 30, 1825
STEPHEN AUSTIN EsQ.
St Phillippe,
DEAR ·srn • I have had the pleasure of two letters :from you, in reply to the • enquiries, made by me some time since, I was much gratified to J:iear you had effected arrangements in regard to your Colony, to your _ must sanguine expectations, and that it was in a flourishing condi- tion-I felt very much disposed to send a Vessel with the articles you stood in need of-I could not make up my mind to go myself, immediately, leaving a situation where I now get $1200. per annum,· which enables me to support my family, to venture upon an uncer- tanty-I represented the advantages that would probably arrive from a commercial Intercourse with your Colony, to John, he was pleased with the project, and expressed a disposition to become in- terested, we however concluded to wait the arrival of Henry who was soon expected, under the persuasion that he would become In- terested, and perhaps go himself-He did arrive and on perusing your letters appeared much pleased and talked strongly of going himself, and so it continued doubtful until a few weeks ago, when he made up his mind suddenly to go to Alvarado with the intention of Establishing himself at Xalapa in Mexico, in the Commission Business, for which place he sailed about Ten days since, and most unfortunately for me, he took your letters with him; particularly, as the day after he -sailed, John informed me that a Friend of ours, would like to join us in the proposed expedition-Since which, I have seen the Gentleman alluded to, and find he is anxious to enter into the Business, and thinks we can proceed in it, among ourselves without any difficulty- the principal stumbling Block, is the uncertainty of punetual re- turns in su.ch articles as will answer, for the Investments we may
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AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
make-Cotton of a good staple would of course answer very well, and be perfectly satisfactory, if at a price that would pay a fair profit when brought to this market; to do this it would of course require to be well cleaned, and pressed so as to make good stourage on ship board-this we have no doubt may be accomplished eventu- ally, but we see no immediate prospect of itr-when we send a Vessel, we intend to send a Gin, and probably a pressing machine, both which will be very essential with you-perhaps you make a press with you that would answer the purpose for the present, but our patent pump presses I pressume will be important for you, when you get well ltnderway with your cotton plantations-please inform me on this pointr-Had my own means admitted of it, I would have had a Vessel off long ago, with the articles you wrote for-Hogs, I am informed by a Gentleman who has resided in l\1antanzes, _are pro- hibited in Cuba, and Horses would be too cumbersome for the dis- cription of vessel we propose sending-Corn is but a poor article to ship, except to the ,v-estern blancls, Tenriffe etc, and there it would probably not answer, so much is shipped from hence-I regret ex- tremely that Henry should have taken the letters away, as it leaves me quite in the dark, in various particulars such as the proper place, for the vessel to run for the courses, signal poles etc the Tribe of Indians that you are at war with, being between your residence, and the entrance to the River is rather against the concern- It is thought advisable under all circumstances, to write you a gain, and urge your immediate reply to several enquiries, which if tangi- ble, and can be carried into effect, would probably be very important, such as-Is there a road that Goods can be conveyed upon to :Mexico, or to the borders, or dividing line between you and :Mexico? what is the distance? could not there be an arrangement made, to receive goods calculated for the Mexican market, on your Territory, or on the dividing line of the Mexican Territory ?-in barter for Cochineal, Vanilla, Pimento, Indigo, and for Specie-Could they be conveyerl without being subject to Duty, and without risk? what would be the time required, and what would be the Expense-does your Colony produce Cochineal, or Indigo? or do they, or will they bring either to it, or would they if a temptation is held out?-we should like to send a confidential agent to communicate with you, and to attend to our business; but it will not justify it at presentr- We wish you to be very particular in the list of articles that will answer best to send, and the returns, the kind and quantity of To- bacco-the Mill stones I have not forgotten-I should suppose some of our patent corn cleaners would be desirable-are you not in want of many kinds of agricultural Implements? How would the ap- paratus for a Distillery answer?-If we could once get underway I
THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 1029 have no doubt we might be mutually advantageous to each other with your aid in this business, I promise myself very favorable re- sults; I am confident you will grant it freely, as I am persuaded it would be more gratifying to you, to do business with your connec- tions and friends, than with strangers-I should be much delighted to see you here, but I pressume that is out of the question at present, perhaps your Brother may come, however- I sincerely condole with you, on the loss of youv dear Mother, it must have deprived you, of much joy that you had anticipated in making her happy the remainder of _her life-Poor Horace is gone also; I have no doubt he had much to contend with <luring the latter part of his life- I observe by last Evenings paper, that the Senate, on ,vednesday last, passed by a large majority to a third reading the Bill, authoriz- ing a road to be marked out from Missouri, to Mexico-This I should suppose would be a good thing for you-pressume it must pass -very near you- Mr Honey has arrived at Baltimore from St. Louis, will proceed Mr Dall informs us to Washington, and then make New York a visit-we shall be glad to see him, never having that pleasure, and through him, shall hear I pressume many particulars about our friends, those few that are left, (and of those that are gone) in that quarter, of whom we have heard but very little for years past-wo have heard within a few days of the marriage of :Mary Holleys Daughter Harriet, to 1v1r. Brant of Kentucky, I know not whether you ever saw her or not- Jany 31. from this morning paper-" In the Senate the Bill authorizing_ the President to cause a road to be marked out be- tween the western frontier of Missouri and the Internal Provinces of 1viexico, was read a third time passed and sent to the House for con- currence-" I wish you to state the prices of such articles as you may recommend will command with you-"\Vith my compliments to your Brother, I remain with sincere regard, and affection Your friend -
AnoH AusTIN [Rubric]
• A. W. :McCLAIN TO AusTIN
Colorado District 30 th J amrnry 1825
DEAR Sm
Mr .Alley informs me that he informed you Previous of my Being in town that their was but one League of Land in the 14 th League and that is for Blienfort and McVain it appears to me that I am not to guit any that I make Choice of as I made Coice of two Places Bv the Eagle Lake first you gave to Blufort second to Col 0 Ross 'i
1030
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
asked you for Land in June Last you Readyly agreed that to goe and make Choice of a Place a.nd then I was Called on from •time to time that I had not time ontill in Septr and then I Made Choice of one that noone hade made Choice of I Lost that and it was Entered in your Booke By :Mr. ,villiams I have Been Ready for two weeks to go· to work on it or some Place Else if you intend Letting me have any Land or not I want to noe I Come to the Country for that purpose after seventeen months in the Country I Cant Come on a footing with strangers I Can Return from whence I Came Mr. Alley informs ~e :Mr. Cook and Mr. Osborn has taken ajoining of him on the west side of Colorado and that theirs a vacant Place at the m0uth of skull crick Providing you will Let it Be Run as Gabriel Snyders is if you Consent to it you will Please let me no it and oblige yours Judge SF Austin NB Coln· Pettus [was] Present when 1Ylr Alley said what he did say on the subject
JAMES GRANT TO AUSTIN
Camargo 31st Jany. 1825
Coln 1 AusTIN DEAR Sm, I take the opportunity of Coln1. J\filam, passing your .way, to drop you a few lines respecting my interest in your Colony> I have been a great deal absent, but it has been completely out of my power to be there, my business in this part of the Country has been in such a situation that I have not been able to leave, I am now doing my best to wind up, and I will be able to do so about June when I will be on with you; I have to appeal to your goodness to protect my interest with you, untill I arrive my absence has not been with my will, but from the circumstance above stated; which I know your knowledge with the mode of doing business in this part of the Countr.y will fully satisfy you in the cause. I have property ' plenty in the Colony to pay for my land and have directed Capt 0 Jones to do so; by your granting me this request you will confer an oblig~tion on Dr Sir your Respectfully JAJ.IES GRANT [Rubric]
DAVID H. HOLSTEIN TO AUSTIN Alexandria Louisiana-[about January, 1825 ?]
Mr. STEPHEN F. AusTIN; Dear Sir as I have not been able to return to your Colony as soon as I expected I hope you will excuse my Troubling you with this note
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