Near Nachitoches Jany 26th, 1821
My Good Sr
On my arrival at Mr Castlemans I wrote you both by Mr Quirk
and by the officer about to return inclosing you a Newspaper the
only one I could then command, being told yesterday that the
Spanish officer—had not yet returned I again profit by the same oppory
to make further communications to you I have nothing of interests
to communicate of a Public nature except what you will find in the
Daly papers. As to myself—I have learned that the total failure of
the Bank of St Louis has involved me in a loss of (30 000) thirty
thousand Dollars investments I had made in said Bank—this
unhappy event has Compelled me to return to the upper country with
out Delay—and settle and save the balance of my property, I shall
return to Nachitoches by May next.
I mentioned in my last that I wished a passport to leave with my
property at the mouth of the Colorado and Deposit my property
untill I could Visit St Antonio and receive the will of the Governor,
and further instructions the property I shall bring will be farming
Utensils and other articles such as Iron Ware Tin Ware and Crates
of Liverpool ware and Salt only sufficient to purchase Stock for a
farm as to Indians in that quarter I can make myself safe in a few
days as I shall have 12 or 15 Hired hands for whose conduct, I will
be accountable If you can obtain a permit for me to land with my
property at the place I have requested to say Mouth of the Colorado
and permission is given to Establish a Town and Settle 300 families
One year would make a Change in the State and condition of Saint
Antonio beyond any thing, you can now believe I have a full
confidence that a Town at the Mouth of Colorado in three years would
become of the utmost Consequence and an interest in this Town
would give some thousand of Dollars to the friends of this
establishment without any violation of Confidence or injury to Government,
people of the first class would immediately Resort to this
Establishment with property that would secure their fidelity to the King and
Constitution of Spain.
I shall, life and Health admiting most undoubtedly return from
the upper Country by May Next whin I wish to remove with all my
property to the Colorado and I hope you will have the power to
obtain a pasport for me, and my household to land at that place, the
object of which will be to commence farming Tho Governor was
pleased to say that if I returned I might depend on his friendship—
on my part I assure you that I shall make use of every Exertion in
my power to promote the interest of the Government, that gives me
protection.
I hope my Dear Sr. you will pardon the liberty I have taken in this
calling on your friendship— I trust the day will arrive when— I
shall have it in my power to make full and Satisfactory
compensation.
I cannot close this letter without again reminding you that both
Leut. Sandival and yourself are in danger of being drawn into
difficulty from the extreem imprudence of Kirkham This unguarded
man has told with out reserve that any amount of goods he took to
St Anthonio would be received by Leut. Sandivall into his store
this language has been so many times told that I have been questioned
on the subject and altho I knew nothing of Kirkham ingagements
with Leut. Sandival yet I took the liberty to say that Kirkham had
misstated facts and that no friend of his at Saint Antonio would
expose himself to ruin, to serve him he has as I am told stated that
his friends was to have 80 or 90 Mules ready for him in march
next— I have mentioned these things that every Necessary
precaution may be made use of to prevent injury resulting therefrom
I have inclosed every paper I could collect that contained any
information of moment to you or the Government you will see the
resolution of Ky on Spains affairs altho the Legislature have
instructed there Representatives in Congress to oppose the Trety
between Spain and the United States yet it is the most general beleif
that it will be accepted if ratified by the Spanish Government, War
will not take place with the U States and Spain unless some of the
Western States have power to rule the Union the Eastern and Middle
States are in opposition to extending the limits of the United States
and War with Spain
MA
Jany 28 Year 21
To the Honorable Baron Bastrop
At the Capital of the Province of Texas