Nackitosh July 8th 1824
Dr Sir.
I had the double pleasure of receiving your letter and by the
hand of your brother, no opportunity has offered of writing to you
since. The Bearers, Messrs. Cherbonier and Trizena are fitting out
a trading voyage and are desirous of visiting your Settlement if they
can—Mr Cherbonier is a man of integrity and honour, has for a
considerable time had the charge of our Public Academy, the other
gentleman I know only as a merchant, they are worthy your
attention
I hear from every body that you have a prospect of abundant
crops, so that those who may desire to emigrate thither need be
under no apprehension for the want of provisions. I am highly
pleased with the description your brother gives of your whol
Establishment Particularly the Town, the purity of your well water is of
the first Consideration, the mills will give great facility to building,
as well as grinding.
I coppied the Mexican Constitution to send to Washington, but
at the same time found by the papers it was there, I have no
objections to it Except the Article of Religion, and in Taxes—I
think it will in a short time be silent (or tacit) as the inhabitants
will be mostly Americans the happiness of the People depends
more on the administration than the form of government, you will
govern yourselves; your brother informd me your Town lotts would
be sold at Auction to raise a fund for the improvement of the Same—
As I always intended to be a proprietor and may move there, I wish
vou to secure for me a Couple of Lotts adjoining or a whol Square as
you may think proper; I am fond of Building and am used to it,
and never like to be crampt. I shall want near, lands for a small
farm; I intend to come and see you, but cannot now fix the time.—
I am sorry I cannot send you a Newspaper containing W. Canning
the English Ministers rejoly to Prince Polinaz who came to England
from Paris to move the English Govt to send a delegate to meet
delegates from the holy Alliance (or Allied powers) at the request
of the king of Spain to concert measures to reduce again under
the king of Spain Spanish America. Mr Cannings reply is clear and
prompt he says they will not meet at Paris for the King of Spain
well knows the opinion of England which will not be changed.
England will not interfere If Spain chooses to exhaust herself in so
fruitless an attempt, but will not suffer any other power to assist her,
and should any attempt it, England will immediately Acknowledge
their independence and defend them, which has been too long
delayed, the reply is a positive Avowall of the determination of
England, It has disconcerted the Allies and no doubt decided the
Independence of Spanish America, which will soon be Recognized by
all Europe at least that is the opinion in this Country.
You mention the intention of sending a Regular Mail, could it be
connected with Mexico I have no doubt Our Post Master-General
will meet the proposal for an exchange of Mail as is now done in
the Canada line and Nova Scotia. I am not Acquainted with the
Postmaster General now Mr. McLean of Ohio but through Our
delegates in Congress I can have the subject discussed, and no doubt
the thing can be affected, we now have a Newspaper Published
here, I have in this packet of News papers Inclosed the Printers
Prospectus, he asks your Patronage.
Our candidates for President are J. Q. Adams, W. H. Crawford,
H. Clay and Genl Jackson and you can as well judge who will be
the successful Candidate as we can Clay or Jackson will feel more
interested for Mexico and of course will be our choice; I see a Bill
has passed in Congress to Extend further west the Boundary of
Arkensa. it is a little curious that, that Territory extends
jurisdiction to the settlements on the South side of Red River in Texas,
collects taxes and inforces her Laws—You will see by the Papers
the appointment of Ninian Edwards Minister to Mexico, but his
getting into a dispute with Crawford Secty of the Treasury, 'tis
thought will so affect him that he will not be permitted to proceed
on the embassy—It is said here on the Authority of Our Member
of Congress Col Brent, that our Govt will not regard the Sabine as
Our Boundary, but will renew our Claim to the River Grand; Our
Minister will be instructed as to that the papers will acquaint you
of the Nature of the difficulty between Mr Edwards and Mr
Crawford—We cannot yet know the Result of the Election in this State,
a governor, three Members of Congress, and Our State Legislature
have just been voted for. The Candidates for Governor, Henry
Johnston Late Senator in Congress, Villere Marigney. Genl Thomas
and Judge Butler, Johnston has resigned as Senator that he may
be Governor, that gives Mr Livingston a place in the Senate and
Grymes in the House of Representatives where Mr Livingston now
is—J. S. Johnston remains one year more in the Senate and will
probably be Reelected for six years. Judge Bullard is a Candidate
for Congress in place of Mr Brent but many think he will fail partly
owing to some illiberal pieces that have been published against
Brent, not avowed by Mr Bullard nor disavowed.—The last month
June has been the Hottest Month here for 21 years since I have
lived here the Mercury in all the Month has from 3. to 5 P. M.
"vibrated betwen 95 and 100 in a cool exposure rather too cool a place
than too warm, and the same Month has been Remarkably dry,
which with the Ravages of the Web worm has much injured the corn
and cotton in many places—This part of Louissiana sets in rather
sickley. The Measles has ran through our settlement and the
Whooping Cough is following with a Bowel Complaint of which
several have died—The River did not raise for Steam Boats till Late,
it is now getting too low, two steam boats were here 3 or 4 days ago,
there is one below Expected up tomorrow, this town is pretty well
supplied with every Article for the season.—I am always glad to
hear from you. No one more ardently wishes for the prosperity of
your Colony and for your individual health and happiness.
John Sibley.
Judge Austin.