Saltillo May 10, 1823
Dr. Brother,
I arrived here on the 8th and shall proceed tomorrow on to
Monterey where I probably may be detained ten days untill the new
Comdte Genl arrives, Don Felipe de la Garza, who is a particular
friend of mine - At this place I heard that Texas had renewed the
oath to the Emperor and had refused to adopt the new system - this
is bad - the whole nation without exception have adopted the plan
of Casa Mata and acknowledged the Sovereign Congress - Iturbide
has embarked for Italy, and when I left Mexico on the 18 all was
quiet - Doctor Miguel Ramos Arispe now in this place informs
me that Texas only refused the new system because it was supposed
the majority of the nation still adhere to the Emperor, but that on
receiving a full confirmation of the unanimity of the Provinces in
favour of the plan of Casa Mata, it immediately adopted it also and
that at this time all is well—I wrote to the settlers on the Colorado
and Brazos that they ought not to meddle with politics, and to have
nothing to do with any revolutionary schemes, I hope they have
followed my advise—they are as yet too recently established in the
country to take an active part in its political affairs—if any
questions are asked them as to their opinion of the Govt etc. they ought
to answer that they moved here to live under the government which
the nation may establish they can do themselves no good by
meddling in politics and at such a time as this when the Govt is not yet
settled and the nation in a state of political fermentation it is
embarking on a doubtfull voyage to embrace any party—as
foreigners we have a good excuse for remaining neutral without being lyable
to suspicions and this is the safe course—The Emperor has deceived
us all—I thought he would have adhered to his oath, and governd
according to law—but on the contrary he has violated the one, and
trampled on the other—nothing therefore is more just, and more
magnanimous than the spirit of indignation and resentment which
the nation have manifested and the result I hope and confidently
believe will be a Confederated Republic very similar to that of the
United States—Some of the principal provinces of the nation have
declared in favour of this system, such as Oaxaca, Guadalaxara,
Guatamala, Guanaxuato, and these Provinces and I think a
majority of the members of Congress are in favour of it.
I wrote you from Mexico that my business was completely finished
as I wished, and when I arrive I will try and revive the spirits of the
settlers, they have nothing to fear as to the titles to their lands, their
own industry and good conduct is all that is wanting to make them
live plentifully—I am in hopes we shall be able to take the Indians
in hand and teach them to let us alone—I recd your letters at this
place informing me of the disasters on the Colorado—the day of
vengeance I hope is not far off—I am very glad Littleberry Hawkins
took charge of the things from the Lively, I approve fully of
everything he has done in the business if he still has the suit of blue
request him to keep it untill I arrive. I am destitute of clothes and
want it—remember me to him in a very particular manner and tell
him that I anticipate with pleasure a renewal of our former
acquaintance in Lexington, and hope that we shall spend many happy years
as neighbours in Texas, and receive an ample reward for the
difficulties, hardships and disgusts of the first year or two—your Spanish
letter does very well. I am happy at your advancement in the
language. It probably will be about the 10 of June before I can reach
Bexar as I shall pass through Monclova if Dn Matias Ximenes is in
Bexar give my respects to him, I am anxious to see him—when I
arrive I will try and see what can be done with the tobacco, when I
purchased it in Orleans the law prohibiting the introduction had not
passed so that I am an innocent sufferer. Speak to Berrimendi and
request him not to do anything in the business until I arrive that is,
unless he will release the tobacco and deliver it to L. Hawkins if he
will do this it will be the same as delivering it to me—I am very glad
you did not go with Carrasco apply yourself to hard study, let your
whole time be devoted to emprove your mind, the only divertion,
except that necessary to preserve your health, which you ought to
take is a change of study from the Spanish to the French, and
reading the Baron's English books—the mind makes the man. In
writing Spanish be careful not to confound the b and the V as is
customary in this country, when in doubt refer to the dictionary, this is
important tho totally disregarded here
[Stephen F. Austin.]