The Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, Volume V

P.\PEHS OF )IrnAnEAU BuoNAr,\r.TE L,nrAn

257

RICHARD R. THARP TO LAMAR Lindsley Town, Steuben Co. N. York Mare;h 7th /39

No. 111,.1:.

His Excdy. :MAIUDEAU B. L,nun. President Texas Republick. Sm,

Permit me to remark that the distingiushed services rendered by you in the war for obtaining the Independence of the Texan Republick a11d lielieving as I do that your patriotism and devotion to the publick service give You Sir, an abiding interest-in the welfare of the repub- lie;k & hence it is that I have thus taken the libertj, of addressing You at this time in the hope that-You will Sir, be pleased to look favour- ably upon the subject matter of my letter. Permit me Sir, to remark to you that I have had in view emigrating as it is termed into the far West. I have fo'r a time past been favourably impressed towards Texas and Remarking to You Sir, that I am like many others who turn their attention to the Western Wilds and are disposed to forgo many of the comforts in this life in the hope of bettering the situation of those who look up to us for support in that of an interesting family of Children who are to be provided for. Let me say to You Sir, that I am a practical Experienced Surveyor, Drafts ~[an and Conveyancer and have been for upwards thirty Years past actively engaged in the various duties pertaining to the Surveying and the settlement of a New Country. None ·better acquainted in all its detail than myself. Judgeing as I do from the fact of Your Republick having its National Debt on hand and the soldiers of the Army of the Revolution to be provided for and as I believe by liberal grants of land of the public domain and the late act of Congress as report say, offering Grants of land to Emigrants into Texas induce me to believe that the Texian Congress will if not already doing proceed to lay off the national Domain by Survey into Townships and Subdivisions in like manner as the U. States in which case active practical experienced Surveyors must be called for. No one Sir would I presume be better enabled to acldse me on that-subject-than yourself and of the present demand or call for surveyors now at this time in Texas. Permit me Sir, to say to You that in the EYent of my going iilto Texas it would be all impor- tant to me to obtain a general knowledge of the Country and the land in the hope in the Eud of ;uaking a permanent residence in Texas and as would enable me to communicate to my Enquiring neighbors that information so essential to the Emigrant before removing as in the End of my being favorably impressed with the country many fomilies would follow, as on my report I could bring with me ind11st·rio11s acfi·,:c men the bone and sinew of the country such as are all important to a new country both the fnrmer and mechanic. All that is wanting a good country and to ensure an influx from this Country into 'l'exn~ is reasonable E'ncouragement. Should Encouragemt. oft'(,; and to fncili- tate flll(l determine what cnn be done and with as lit.th, cll•lay a~ poi;- sible it is my intention to visit 'l'exas as soon as I ran be i1dor111cd of the probable enconmgement to be had, remarking- to vou sir. that m,· object in coming into Texas is immediate and nrti,:e 11rofila.ble en{- ploymcnt- Either public or prfrale acl:ount nllll with 11~ little 1h•Ia,· as - .

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