THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 829 tflan you first antisipated, You state that you intend to close all the a ff airs of the settlement by the month of October, I sincerely hope you have no intention of leaving the settlement, such a step would be (I think) ruinous to the Colony-I am clearly of oppinion from my own lrnowledg that their never was a man more univer- sally beloved and respected by all the setlers than yourself, it would be like leaving so many Orphan Children without protection.-In my last letter to you by ~Ir. Cummings I wrote my real oppi~ion to you of Capt Gains's carractor. I reflected on my self after I sent it for fear you might think I was endeavouring to traduce the l\fa.n. The last dispute I had with him I told him the business between him and myself was like an old sore healing up I did not wish to tear it open afresh.· since then he stops at my house eats and drinks I do the same at his house, so far we are friends but I still think it my duty to prevent him from deceiving others as he has me, on his return from St Antonio he spoke very .ill againsf the Political Chief and counsel stating that he was fifteen days dis- puting with them in supporting the American settlers in this Dis- trict, but gave no conect infonnation respecting the intentions of Government about this district, Since that time a Spaniard has passed through here from St Antonio and who is said to be a good .Man-his name is sounded, Hose Ankle [Jose Angel] he informed me that Gains while at St Antonio spoke very bad of all the Americans in this settlement. I since lern that he gave Col Bean the same ac- count but spoke more fully to him as he speaks Spanish well. since that time some setlers from the Brassos has passed here and inform the Inhabitants that Don Jose Auto Saucedo while at the Brassos gave you the same information and go so far as to relate your answer- I wish you to write me and inform if this is true the people here nll believe it. if true, I feel confident that you would be among the last men that would attempt to screen a man that was capible of such disception, vV e are here quite ignorant of the late regulations of Government respecting this District the papers that have come on have been trans- lated by Col Bean but so badly that we can make but little sence of it, there is many reports we do not know what to belieye·r will take it as a great favour if you will give me such information as you may possess on this subject, that I may know whnt to depend on I think that Saucedo must have conversed with you .on this subject such part as you wish to be considered as confidential you will please to name-by complying with this request you will add to the many obligations that I have the pleasure to acknowledge- AN'l'llv R. CLARKE Col S F AUSTIN
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