To the Baron de Bastrop member of the State Legislature from
Texas—
One of the most important subjects to the people of the State of
Cuahuila and Texas is a speedy organization of the Judiciary on a
system which promises permanency uniformity in the
interpretation of laws, and convenience to the people—A Superior Court to
sit at Saltillo and at Bexar alternately, and subordinate Circuit
Courts would probably be the best. The Department of Texas
might be divided into two Circuits from the Sabine to the Baca to
form one, and thence to the Western limit of the Department to
form another, and the balance of the State to be divided as
circumstances may require with a Judge in each Circuit. The Circuit
Courts might have final appellant Jurisdiction in all cases sent up
from Alcaldes and original jurisdiction in all Civil and Criminal
Cases beyond the Jurisdiction of Alcaldes, and the Superior Court
appellant jurisdiction from the Circuit Courts in all civil cases over
a certain amount, and original jurisdiction in cases of great
importance. The Circuit Courts to have jurisdiction in all cases of
probate and settling Estates, recording will[s] etc. regulating the rates
of ferriage and granting licenses to ferrymen, tavern keepers etc.
etc. and in case the trial by jury is not allowed their decision in
Criminal Cases should be subject to the revisal of some Superior
tribunal so as not to give one man the power of deciding finally in
Case of Life and death. The Circuit Courts for this Circuit might
hold three terms at this place, and three terms at Nacogdoches in
the year; say in this place on the second Mondays of October,
February and June, and at Nacogdoches on the second Mondays of
December, April and August. There should be a clerk appointed
at each place where the Circuit Courts are held to keep the records
of said Court [to] issue process etc and his fees clearly defined by
law.
There should be a sheriff or alguacil in each place where said
Court is held to execute its orders and decrees and his duties and
fees defined.
There should be a Notary Public for this Colony and one for
Nacogdoches with his fees clearly defined.
The jurisdiction of the Alcaldes and their specific duties and
powers should be clearly defined even to the furnishing of forms
so as to give uniformity to their proceedings.
Judicial proceedings in the department of Texas originally had
in the English language when translated by the proper person
should have the same validity as if originally had in Spanish.
Without this the new settlers will be totally debarred all access to
courts of Justice for not one in a hundred understands Spanish—
Also there should be some provision for the appointment of
translators and their perquisites or fees fixed by law.
There should be a complete digest of all the laws in force,
published in a bound book and generally circulated gratis to every
officer civil judicial and militia throughout the State and sold to
the people on moderate terms.
Owing to the distance from the new Settlements to Bexar and
the inconvenience that will arise in Communicating with the Govt
by the Alcaldes individually there should be a Gefe Subalterno
(Subaltern Civil Chief) to reside at San Felipe de Austin whose
authority should extend from the Sabine to Labaca, or two Chiefs
of this description, one for the Country from Sabine to Neches
and another from there to Labaca—This Chief or Chiefs should
understand both Spanish and English and be the organ of
Communication between the Govt and the Alcaldes and the other
subordinate officers of the jurisdiction, and be a subordinate executive
officer subject to the orders of the Chief of Department and Govor of
the state etc.—he should have a Secretary legally appointed and
his fees for translating and other perquisites as well as his duties
clearly defined by law. If such a chief is not appointed great in-
convenience will arise in communicating with each Alcalde
separately by the Chief of Department in consequence of the want of
a knowledge of the Spanish Language and Customary forms of
doing business.
All deeds or Mortgages for real Estate should be recorded in the
office of the Notary in a bound book or should there be no Notary in
the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court within three months after
they were executed or be void.
I deem it very important that there should be a clear
understanding with the Govt as to the fees which the Empresario can ask and
receive from the Settlers for he must be at a great expence, for
translators, Clerks, attending in person to the Surveying, locating the
Settlers, showing new Emigrants the Country, making presents to
Indians, keeping an open house, as he must do for some time for
persons who come into explore the Country and many other expences
which at first view do not appear important but at the end of a year
amt to a large sum.
Also the manner of running the division line along the reserve
on the Coast should be defined—The law calls for the " Gulf of
Mexico " as the base, and to leave the margin of the Gulf and meander
round the lakes such as Galveston and Matagorda will entirely be a
departure from the law—it appears to me equally as proper to follow
up a River to its head because it discharges into the Gulf and to
begin the measurement there, as to follow round the meanders of a
Lake or shallow Bay that has a narrow inlet. The expense of runing
this line will be very great if the lakes are to be meandered, and who
is to pay it. I think the line ought to be nearly straight and the out
side of the Coast, that is the shore of the " Gulf of Mexico " taken as
the base to measure from.
Many old claims are said to exist on the Trinity, Neches and in the
Nacogdoches district—there ought to be commissioners appointed
with full power to decide on them finally so that it may be known
what land is vacant and what is not, if this is not done several claims
may be set up for the same land and hence will arise endless lawsuits
and confusion, and it will also be impossible for the Empresario to
know what lands he can settle or what are taken up by previous
claims for the records of most of these old claims are said to have
been lost in the revolution which renders it difficult to decide from
any legal written evidence as to their validity
San Felipe de Austin 3 November 1826
Stephen F. Austin [Rubric]
[Endorsed:]-Reflections sent to the member of the Legislature of
this state for Texas, the Baron de Bastrop—copy