KeyKendales, Augt 29 1823
Dr Sir
I expected to have visited you before this time but cannot do so
for two or three weeks—I am now endeavoring to find a place
suitable for the capital of the colony and believe I shall fix it below
Cummings on this River at a place now occupied by Mr Bright—If
an opportunity opens I wish you would write me wheither there is
any suitable place on your River any where between the place
called the fort and Mr. Boatrights I do not wish to go higher up
than Boatrights unless the situation should by its superior natural
advantages require it. I want a place for the town on the west side
of the Brazos where there is abundance of good water besides the
river, either springs or a good creek.
The place I have in view on this river is very well watered with
the best of springs—it is about 38 miles from Castlemans, about 65
or 70 miles from the mouth of this river, about 25 miles from
Boatrights and I suppose about 45 miles from you, and about 70 miles
from the mouth of the Brazos and if the La Baca is settled will
be nearly central, but if a situation can be found on the Brazos more
so and a good site I will fix it there—
I wish you could do me the favor to select some good places for
me say about six or eight league tracts any where between Parkers
and McFarlands, or employ some one to do it and I will pay for
it—or I will pay you if your other occupations will permit. I want
good land water and timber, and if the places are not selected now
they will all be occupied. It will be a real service to me if you can
do this, and Mark them and let it be known that they are reserved—
also try and find the best place for a town up above or near you on
the River—it will be valuable at some future day, and you shall be
profited by making a good selection in lots—also I want a good
situation on some creek off from the River where there is a body of
good land suitable for a stock farm—also some good mill seats if to
be had—it is no more than just that I should have a pick as well
as others, and I have too much public business to attend to, to do
anything for myself and must call on my friends to aid me—I will
send you a regulation relative to Indians, vagabonds etc. as soon
as it is copied which I wish to have rigidly enforced—
How do I envy the quiet life you enjoy—I have not a moment
that I can call my own, and the task before me is a very troublesome
one I cannot expect to please all nor shall I try to do it—I will try
to satisfy myself by doing justice to all-
It is probably I shall go to McFarlands in three or four days, to
look at that place for a town, but I am told that there is no good
water there.
Remember me to Mrs. Bell, your friend
S. F. Austin [Rubric]
I shall decide on the town in less than a week therefore if you
know of any good place send me word soon.
J. H. Bell
[Addressed:] Mr. Josiah H. Bell Brazos Care of Kykendall