THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 735 The theft of the Horses were not proven the defendant paying nll cost and Expence for Guarding at the rates of $2.00 for each thirty fore Hours allowing Two men to be sufficient Guard Cost as Respects his on Trial.
James "\Vhitesicle James. Lynch :Micajah Byrd R. C. Millican. Orlando Hopkins Simon Miller
Jurors
January 31 st 1824
J. CHILD TO AUSTIN
Natchez-February 1-1824 Col. Steven Austin, Dr. sir-since my return to the U. States from the Province of Texas-I have been kept busy in endeavoring to counteract the unfavorable impressions made here as to the soil and climate of Texas-and the character and prospects of your settle- ment there.-Some disappointed travellers joined with the large land holders here have used every means in their power to check embarrass and discourage emigration-The character of the coun- try-is however rising here-and the tide of emigration is taking a favorable turn.-I am very glad to learn that you have taken a position on the Brazos-at the Atascosito crossing-In a geographi- cal view this is a central point-..:.-and must be the centre of popula- tion-It is safe from invasion by sea-It is also remote from the range of all the large tribes of Indians-and it is the very place where a dense settlement should be formed-to be extended above and below within supporting distance of one another-as settlers come in-as you know it is about 100·miles from La Bahia-and moreover it is not more than sixty miles from a navigable point on the Santo Hacinto-which emptying into the Bay of Galveston forms the best harbor on the coast-Besides the navigation-of the Brassos is at all times practicable-with small Boats and al- though I found 10 feet water over the Bar at the mouth-the entrance is deemed unsafe particularly in a rough sea-Yet is but 16 miles from the mouth of the Brazos-to the west end of Gal- vezton-where vessels have a safe anchorage with 30 feet water- since my return I have sent out two boats of 30 ton each loaded with flour and fat meat with some whiskey sugar and coffee con- signed to Capt. John McFarlane-by bad management of the Pilot as I am inclined to think they were both lost-I intend however
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