THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 1385 appointed by the government for that purpose would be here, about this time, to form treaties with all those tribes for the security of the country-What then can be the policy of the Alcalda's tampering with them prematurely, I cannot conceive I-· •• As to the administration of justice here, I can, ~hrough such a medium, give you but a faint idea-Suffice it to say, that it is such however as is alone conducive to the interest of the officers, and sub- servient to their private feelings against those, who are obnoxious to them. Twenty and twenty five dollars costs is not an unusual fee bill, or rather a charge, in a single suit.-In short the darkest period of the reign of Ferdinand does not equal the despotism, that prevails here now!- Col. Austin, these abuses and outrages upon the Americans will not be tolerated long! I The rumbling of the volcano has already become audible around us, and if any accident should cause its ex- plosion in any part of its surface, not all our efiorts could arrest its progress. It is upon you then, that I mostly rely in preventing the storm that seems to be now coming in. It is your interest, it is mine, and that of every Empresnrio in particular to prevent, if possible, such a state of things- you already know my views, relative to this country, and how much it has been my hope and wish that it would peacibly fill up with enterprising Americans, without any interruption to their en- terprise, or premature collision with the authorities of the country- But sir, I confess I am alarmed at the present aspect of affairs in this quarter-I know the American cha.meter too well to feel in- •aifferent to what is passing here-Once shaken in their confidence of this government, .an outrage upon the rights or person of one in- fluential American will produce a spark of ignited matter, that will kindle into a conflagration, which, we cannot doubt, will immediately extend itself to the sympathies of the people of another Govern- men~It has been from these considerations, that I have been inclined to abandon the country, because I could see no advantage that was to result from an event so probable-so inevitable-without a change in affairs- . I have been thus free in my communication to you in consequence of our former confidential conversations in relation to the affairs of this Province, and in consideration of the mutual interest, we must both feel in every thing relative to it, and conducive to its advance- ment and prosperity. . I have already told you the motives, that have influenced me to continue any longer in this country, and I have opened this correspondence with you in the most friendly confidence, hoping to receive from you every info1'11udion and ad-v·ice a.s to what
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