THE AUSTIN PAPERS, 681 there is no longer n.ny cause for uneasirress. they must not be dis- couraged at any little depradations of Indians, they must remember that American bwod flows in their veins, and that they must not dis- honor that noble blood by yielding to trifling difficulties. I shall adopt every possible means for their security and defence, I have brought some powder from Bexar, a part of which will be sent to Capt. Robison for the use of the militia when needed-Let every man do hu duty, and we have nothing to fear-Let U8 be united as one ma11r-discord must be banished from amongst us, or those wh(} cause it will meet with most severe treatment Hoping to meet you soon in peace and happiness, I am Resptlly your friend and fellow citizen STEPHEN F. AusTIN [Rubric] 'l'o J . .I-I. Bell Anclw Robertson Abner Kuykendall and other set- tlers on the Brazos River-
AUSTIN TO JOSIAH H. BELL
Castlemans on the Colorado
Augt, 6 1823.
DR FRIEND
Enclosed I send you sundry papers to be communicated to the Settlers- I rely greatly on your prudence and judgment in pre- serving harmony and content amongst the settlers it now depends altogether on my will to admit or reject who I please, and if there are any who are not worthy I must be informed of it that they may be ordered off, and if the order is not obeyed it will be enforced with rig[or] I think the enclosed letter ought to satisfy them all as re- gards the payments- I give up the right of axacting all the pay in hand and will receive any kind of property, that I shall not loose on- Surely there ought to be no difficulty on this subject- can any man doubt that in less than three or even two years he cannot sell a part of his land for cash at 50 cents or one dollar pr. acrei There are but few men in the world who would undergo what I have, and exact so little in proportion to the benefit conferred- I shall make the fortunes of all my followers for which I ask them to pay me but a very little more than the money this business will actually cost me the Govt. do not pay one cent of any kind of expense, I pay it all, besides this I have risked my life, my health, my property, my all in this enterprise- If there is any discontent as to the pay- ments I think I shall have a right to complain after what I have done- And those who complain without reason may have cause t.o regret it- I shall treat the settlers as my children and Brothers 25067°-24-voL 2, PT 1--44
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