There is a considerable number of slaves in Texas also, who have been introduced by their masters under cover of certain ques- tionable contracts, but who according to our laws should be free. Shall we permit those wretches to moan in chains any longer in a country whose kind laws prolecl the liberty of man without dis- linclion of cast or color? Here are some points that it is important lo solve beforehand and upon which l wish definite inslruclions lo be dictated in order not to fall again in error as when the Anglo- Americans were permitte<l to colonize in Texas. ln my judgment, those lands have a recognized value both in America and in Europe and there is no need of giving them to foreigners when we our- selves are capable of settling them. Military colonies such as those established by Russia in Siberia, by England in East India, and even by Spain itself in this country would be the most convenient for Texas, in my opinion. It would also be opportune for lhe national Congress lo occupy itself in forming a plan, instead of drawing up a new colonization law, by which the salaries of both civil and military employees might be capitalized by those who chose lo do so, each one receiving two-thirds in land and one-third in silver to encourage the establishment of settlements. It is under- stood that the government will take proper steps to counteract any abuses and to promote the desired end. From such a plan the nation would reap many advantages, it seems to me, the first one being a decrease of the annual budget; the second, the population of Texas by Mexicans; and the third (perhaps the most important) the preservation of the integrity of our territory. Let is nol be said that there would be no industrious .Mexicans capable of establish- ing themselves in the confines of our frontier, for while on my way from Mexico to this place I have observed in all the country stales and cattle ranches the greatest desire to go to the frontier on the part of the poor and hard-working people who are, lo a great extent, mostly farmers and herders. The riff-raff of our great cities would, of course, be incapable of undertaking such an enterprise both because they are accustomed to a different life and because, unfortunately, they are too demoralized. I do not believe that this class, in spite of its poverty, can be used for anything but the establishment of manufacturing enterprises in the future. lf both civil and military officials who capitalize their sala- ries according to the proposed plan are obliged, therefore, to settle their land with Mexicans, the result will be that every official and
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