•THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 74-5 I have been in this country ever since April last during which I have not heard a solitary word from my friends in Me:tico. Left- wich has not yet returned and nobody has heard anything from him for several months past we are afraid he is dead. If you should happen to hear anything about him let me lmow. I am very anxious that the government should make us a grant because I think it would be a beni.fit to us here, and to them, and to yourself individually. If a grant was made, there are so many of us interested that we could procure a great number of settlers who would immediately remove to the country and commence active operations, this would undoubtedly enhance the value of your own, as well as our lands. If you think with me (and no doubt you do) I want you to do all you can with the govt for us. Your influence with it is very con- siderable, and if you will exert it for us I have no doubt but you can do us a great deal of good. I want you to write to our friend Don Ignacio de Cubas upon the subject of my land business and urge him to exert himself to procure a grant as soon as possible, and to send it directed to this place. I believe that 3 or 4 hundred re- spectable families might be procured here, without any difficulty who would immediately remove to the country. I have not heard a word from you since my arrival in the United States only through the medium of newspapers. although I hnve written you several letters directed to your friend in New Orleans in which I particularly requested you to write to me and to direct your letters to this place. I hope upon the reception of this you will promptly answer it and let me know all about your present situation and the prospects of your settlers. Do give me a particu- lar description of your country as respects its soil, climate, health etc. It is said by some that there is a great scarcity of timber, that it is badly watered, that the banks of the rivers and small streams are low and at particular times subject to inundation; and that dur- ing the croping season you suffer much for the want of rain. These are important items of information for an agriculturist and as you know all about it I want you to be particular in yottr statements respecting the truth or falsehood of these reports. I want you also to inform me which is the cheapest and best way for families to remove from this to your country. • I know you will correctly tell me all about it, I therefore boldly make the request. Everything- here remains in Statu quo. Business of every kind is clnll and the people are heels over head in debt. Our banking institutions arc still playing their old games and the people are such wretched fools as to quietly submit to their abominable impositions Every species of property is verry low, and although our legis- lature has from time to time been trying to relieve the people, yet 25067°-24--VOL 2, PT 1~8
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