THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 507 deem myself capable of doing any work in that line- Perhaps you might assist me in that business in the province of Texas-- In 1813 I embarked in the cause of The_Mexican patriots' 1 fur- nished supplies and Recd Bills on the then conunanding officer to the Amt of 2090 dolls by a man Authorized to draw and I was in the Province previous to the general Defeat near St Antonio, but could obtain nothing for monies advance. I wish to be informed if in your opinion the government when Organized will recognize Old Claims in the Patriotic Cause, in Land or Money. ALIJAH HuLL late of St Louis now of Vincennes Stephen F Austin C. Comandant Colorado
AUSTIN TO [ANASTACIO BUSTAMANTE?]
Mexico May 10. 1822 The knowledge which I have obtained during my residence in the Province of Texas of the situation and disposition of the hostile In- dians who are harrassing it, having enabled me to make some ob- servations on the· causes of that hostility, and some reflections as to the surest means of terminating it by a lasting peace; and feeling a deep interest in the welfare of that province and of the nation gen- erally; I beg leave to submit a few remarks on this subject to your Excellency as the superior political head of the Eastern division of the nation,• feeling confident that your Paternal solicitude for the happiness of the Provinces under your command will insure a fa- vorable reception to any well founded suggestion calculated to ameliorate their condition, and that your natural goodness of heart will appreciate my motive and pardon me for attempting to advise on a subject of such importance The war with the Comanches and Lipanis Indians owes its origin to the Revolution in the Province of Texas in the year 1812-those Indians and many others, being employed at that time by the In- surgents to fight the Royal forces. After the defeat of Toledo at the River Medina and the dispersion of his army, many of the old In- habitants of Texas flecl to the United States and settled in the neigh- borhood of Nachistoches where they are now living; some of these inhabitants being well acquainted with the Comanches and Lipanis Indians and with the country they inhabitated, united themselves with the American Traders at Nachistoches and opened a contraband traffic with those, and other Indians living in the Province of Texas taking out Goods and receiving Horses and 1\foles in exchange-This
• The Gutierrez-Magee expedition. • Anastacio Bustamante was CapWn Genel'al of the ProYlnclas Internas.
Powered by FlippingBook