1034
AMER!CAN · HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
this place will accompany me to look at your country I feel sat- tisf-yed that I shall moove to your cuntry and beg leave to rem_ind of your promis to me respecting my land I hope you will be per- ticular in the choice of the leage down on the tide watter and get it as low down as posable give my respects to Col Gross and family if an opertunity permits • TH0 11 HooPER .
AusTIN TO GovERNOR OF CoAHUILA AND TExAs. 1
MOST EXCELLENT SIR : As soon as I became advised of the organization of our Honorable Congress, and the creation of the respectable authorities of the State, I had the honor to address your Eccellency officially, present- ing the respects of myself and the new colonists, in manifesting our obedience to the law, and whatever may tend to the general weal; representing to your Excellency at the same time, the actual state of these colonies, and requesting such orders might be com- municated to me, as deemed necessary, in order to enable me to put them into immediate execution. The liberal protection which our government extends to foreigners, who are desirous to estab- lish themselves under our Federal Government; and the fertility of this soil are Such, that new and respectable families are con- tinually arriving here, to ·enjoy the privileges granted to settlers; but as the number of three hundred, which I engage to Settle, is already completed, I cannot permit them to locate without the per- mission of your Excellency, nor can I distribute lands to them, in consequence of which the greater part of them have remained on the Rivers Trinity and Neches, beyond the limits of my boundaries. These families being farmers, and of most indus- trious habits, have no leisure to encourage vice, but dedicate their whole time to the maintenance of themselves, the accumulation of wealth, and the observance of the laws; but they are without any municipal regulations, and consequently suffer considerable inconvenience from the perverseness of turbulent persons, who emi- grate from the neighboring nation; and also from our own; and who, although few in number remain-there and occupy lands be- cause there is no local .authority to punish or restrain their in- iquities; the evil effects of such a community, 4as some influence, even in this colony. 1 From Translat!ons ot Records ot Empres~rlo Contracts, 44-45, General Land Office ot Te:xaa. There ls a Spanish copy 1D Austin's Blotter, In file ot August 26, 1824.
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