Natchitoches, July 1, 1821.
Dear Sir—I am now this far on my journey to the Province of
Texas, to take possession of the lands granted to my Father, Col.
Moses Austin, (formerly of Mine a Burton, Missouri) by the Spanish
government.
The land lies on the Colorado and Brassos rivers, and includes a
situation on the Bay of St. Bernard, suitable for a sea-port, at which
place a port of entry is ordered to be established. This concession
to my father is granted by Don Joaquin de Arredondo the governor
of the Internal Provinces, and is duly confirmed by the Supreme
Council of those Provinces dated 17th January, 1821, at Monterey.
It contains a permission to settle three hundred families on the lands
to each of whom a tract of land is to be given and to whom most
liberal privileges are secured, both in regard to commercial
intercourse and civil rights.
The Constitution of Spain is in full operation at those provinces
and recent accounts state that the beneficial effects of it are already
perceptible.
The gold and silver mines are getting into more extensive
operation than they have for many years. Money is becoming more
abundant, a free trade is permitted, and the restrictive system
heretofore pursued in regard to foreigners has been superseded by the most
liberal encouragement.
Don Joseph Erasmo Seguin, a Spanish gentleman from San
Antonio was despatched by governor Martinez for the express
purpose of informing my father of the confirmation of his grant by the
governor general, and to invite back all the fugitive Spaniards who
fled in the revolution of 1812, and are living at this place, most of
whom, I am informed, will return to their country again.
I go in company with Don Erasmo, and have a large company of
American companions besides the Spaniards.
Should you yet meet with any Farmers of good character or
mechanics, who wish to emigrate to this fine country and participate
in the advantages secured to my father by this grant, you will oblige
me by informing them that they can procure every information on
this subject by writing to my father, Herculaneum, Missouri; but
they must be well recommended.
Stephen F. Austin