To S. F. Austin Esqr
Empresario of the Colony of his name consisting of three hundred
families and also of a new Colony of five hundred families in the
Department of Texas Byrd Lockhart late of the State of Missouri
United States of the North, represents: That being desirous to settle
himself in this department; to cultivate the Earth by agricultureal
pursuit and also to introduce stock and promote the raising and
multiplication thereof—
He therefore Petitions you to reserve one League of land for him
situated on the East side of the Rio La Vaca; and it being the second
League below the one Surveyed by Mr. James Kerr for Robert
Guthrie—Your Petitioner is aware that the above League is within
the ten litteral Leagues reserved by the Government, but he is under
the impression that you will shortly be authorized to settle said
reserve, in which ease your petitioner hopes you will permit him to
occupy, improve and cultivate said League agreeable to the provisions
of the Colonization Law.
Your petitioner further represents that he has several relations
and friends who are desirous to emigrate to this Department and
who he believes are honest and industrious Citizens: and as the only
convenient way for them to remove their families and effects to the
Country is by water, they will necessarily bring a years provisions
with them.— It is obvious therefore that they will for a while be
confined near the ship landing and in order to facilitate them in the
ardious undertaking of migrating hither your petitioner prays that
you will be pleased to permit him to select one League of Land on
the Navidad and opposite or nearly so to Mr. Kerr's League on the
La Vaca for the purpose of making a dense and Strong Settlement
by dividing said League of Land among Said emigrants:—And
your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray
Byrd Lockhart
Lavaca 3d June 1827
It gives us pleasure to state that we have long been acquainted
with the above petitioner Capt Bjrd Lockhart; that his character
has ever been that of a Gentleman in the first circles: he has
always been remarkable for his industry, perseverance, and
integrity .-—Should it be in the power of Col. Austin to admit his petition
we feel no hesitation in saying that the Colonel will find the
petitioner to be a man of the utmost utility in forming a new Settlement
and a valuable Citizen also to furnish to us a neighbor with whom
we shall all find pleasure.
Green DeWitt [Rubric]
James Kerr
La Vaca 4th June 1827.