1382
AMF.RICAN HlST()P.lCAL ASSOCIATION.
it best to make a tour through some of the states with a view of ob- taining settlers as soon as possible, by means of interesting men of influence and capital in his grant. This he will do even at a great sa,~rifice nf his interest, if necessary. I was opposed to this expedi- tion to the States at this time, and exacted a promise from him before he set out to Natchitoches that he would defer it until he could bring things to some issue with the government, which I had hoped would have been done by this time. After my arrival at .this place, finding things in their present train, I urged him to open a correspondence with the different de- partments of the Government, and to ask an investigation into his conduct without delay. This he accordingly did more than two months since; but as yet no reply to any of his communications, ex-- cept a letter from the Political chief, not regarding his request and remonstrance against false accusations, and the chamcters that have made them, whose infamy is established by certificates of the highest character, transmitted to him. Order after order has been trans- mitted here, containing censure of Haden Edwards, without any in- quiry into the truth or falsehood of the accusations, presumed to be made against him; and no list of charges furnished him even, to give him an opportunity of self defence-In the first place orders have been recently recd here by the Alcalda (as it is said) that Haden Edwards was not entitled to charge any thing for lands. A more recent order says, that all contracts already made may stand; but that none hereafter made will be good, nnd that any person here- after contracting to pay said Edwards for lands shall forfeit them and be ordered out of the country-A later order still says, that said Edwards shall refund whatever he may have rec 4 for lands, making it the duty of the Alcalda here to compel him, should he refusei--Another order a few days ago says that this town shall have its original jurisdiction, (which is said to extend to the Sabine on the East and nearly to the Trinity on the ·west etc) and that the Junto alone and not the, Empresaria shall dispose .of said lands within said disfrict----'--The last order said to be recd by tuesday's mnil directs the Alcal<ln to inform H. Edwards that unless he changes his conduct (without informing him what it is complained of) that his grant will be taken from him and that he will be held amenable to the tribunals of the country-These two last orders if directed by the governmen~if not forged or misrepresented here, speak an awful warning to Americans I !-" There must be something rotten .in the state of Denmark"- Whether here or elsewhere prejudice against Haden Edwards has preponderated over justice in some departmen~I am slow to be- lieve that those orders have eminated from the government itself.
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