1228
THE AUSTIN PAPERS.
WILLIAM A. SHELDON TO AusTIN
New Orleans October 15ua 1825
STEPHEN AusTIN Esqr . RESPEOI'ED Sm,- You will have the goodness to pardon the self-introduction of an individual whose only object is to obtain information of your section of the country. For some years past I have been located in this city, and permanently established as a Druggist in society with Mr. Sam 1 D. Dixon under the firm of Shel- don and Dixon. It is possible that our house may not be unknown to some of the settlers in your neighbourhood, who will assure you that my inquiries do not arise out of iddle curiosity- Public re- port holds out many inducements to persons discontented with their localities, to emigrate to Texas, and 'tis not unfrequently in my travels in the western states that I have questions asked me, I am unable to reply to, particularly as regards the grants of yourself and Mr. Edwards.- The information I receive, is vague and un- satisfactory, and in many instances contradictory, but generally favourable to your settlement-- It would be highly gratifying to impart information to others by authority emanating directly from yourself.- I have been frequently solicited by Col. Charles Morgan, of the parish of Point Coupee, a rich and respectable Planter, to address you on the subject of the culture of cotton in Texas. and whether any experiments have come under your own observation, where the transplanting of the seed to prevent Rot has been successful.- a letter from him last mail induced me, to open a correspondence with you, submitting to your option its continuence- I am under the impression that a small Parcel of Texican cotton was gin'd here last year, and the seed is in our present crop. It is generally admitted that a change of Seed affords the best preven- tive known, against a premature decay of the Cotton Plant and the Southern seed by experiments of Col. Morgan and Ledon.'{ is, by them supposed to be far preferable to that generally planted from the importations from Kentucky, Alabama etc. It is also thought by them that seed from Texas might be obtained with more facility, and that the staple of Louisiana's cotton would be improved in a ratio to compensate planters in incurring the small additional ex- pense of reshipping it from hence to their plantations.-It may not be unknown to you that The Rot annually increases throughout the States of Louisiana Georgia Missippi and all Florida; this year complaints are heavy, and a remedy must be soon afforded to pre- vent the recurrence of a really national evil.- Permit me to inquire on what kind of soil, with you, does the cotton plant best flourish Wand whether there is much, or any dif-
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