Bexar July 17 1823
Dr. Sir,
I regret very much I was absent when you visited the Province,
but anticipate the pleasure of seeing you here this fall— My
business is all happily terminated and I shall immediately commence
distributing the land— Owing to the difficulty of making a
beginning when I first embarked in this enterprise, I was compeled to
admit some who would have been rejected under different
circumstances—but that difficulty no longer exists—large crops will be
made this year on both the Colorado and Brazos-— My grant is
approved by the Sovereign Congress and Supreme Executive power
since the fall of Iturbide—The smallest quantity of land which a
family that farms and raises stock, both, will receive is one league
square or five thousands yards square—the cost will be 12 1/2 cents pr-
acre—
You have seen the country, and know whether it will suit you or
not you also know whether it would be for your interest, in case
you remove, to settle under my grant, or apply for a seperate one
from the Government— All I have to say therefore is that if you
join me, you may rely on the greatest privileges in my power to
grant. In conjunction with the commissioner, I have full power to
increase the quantity of land to more than a league for a family, in
case it should be necessary to accommodate a large family— You
will perceive by the enclosed that the number for Brazos and
Colorado settlement is limited, the balance must settle on the Guadalupe
and St. Marcos and near this place etc. etc.—so say the Govt-
When I left Mexico no other grants had been made, nor could be
for some time to come, for the Colonization law was repealed in toto
on the 10 of April except as refers to me, and when a new law will
pass is uncertain— the present congress have called a new one, the
election is to be on the 2d of August and Congress is to meet the
middle of October next— The majority of the Provinces have pro-
claimed the Federal Republic System, and there is now no longer
a doubt that this govt. will be moddled after that of the United
States— This Province under the Federal System presents the most
brilliant prospects for the future. I repeat, that anything in my
power to do, to induce you and your friends to form a part of the
Colorado or Brazos settlement shall be done with pleasure.
[Autograph letter by Austin. Signature clipped off.]
P. S. The regulations relative to the Govt. of the settlement are
provisional untill it is established and organized, the same system
will then be established that governs all other parts of the country—.
Should you and your friend wish to form a seperate settlement you
could easily do so on the Guadalupe under the grant made to me,
for no specified limits are designated.
[Addressed:] Col Charles Caldwell