Feb 24 1829
Dr Sir.
The mail has this moment arrived—the subject of foriegn debts
is finally settled as you will see by the enclosed law which speaks
for itself and needs no explanation—it is very full— The
difficulties in Mexico are all settled. Guerrero is the President and
Bustamante the vice President— Pedrasa's election was set aside by
congress in the manner prescribed by the constitution on the ground
of fraud and corruption and congress then proceeded to elect from
the other persons who stood highest in the list, and at the first vote
Guerrero recd. 15 States and Bustamte 13—there are 19 states in
all so that this great question is now finally settled in a legal and
constitutional manner and tranquility is fully restored
The prospect of a change in the national constitution so as to
strike out the restriction on Religious toleration is so great and
brightening so rapidly that I have no longer any doubts that it
must and will take place, and under this belief I am of opinion
that no evils will arise from family or neighborhood worship, or
from the delivery of moral lectures, provided it is not done in a
way to make a noise about public preaching So as not to start
excited methodist preachers, for I do say that in some instances
they are too, fanatic, too violent and too noisy,— Moral
instruction delivered in that pure, chaste and dignified language and
manner with which such instruction ought to be imparted to rational
beings, will certainly not be objected to by the Govt on the
contrary it will be highly approved of. I give this as my opinion
Mr Pilgrim proposes to teach school I am pleased with him so
far as I have been able to judge— My opinion on this subject is
that we should all unite with a view of establishing a permanent
Academy at this place—
If we now commence on this basis, I have no doubt of succeeding,
and if the subject is pushed and properly laid before the Govt. I have
no doubt of obtaining a liberal endowment of funds— I fear that
a division in the minds of the people as to where the Academy ought
to be located would totally defeat the object, and for this reason I
am in favor of engaging Mr Pilgrim to establish a School here
permanently and that measures be adopted without delay to raise funds
by subscription for a suitable house, large enough to accommodate
about 100 scholars— I have drawn a plan which I send you
This subject is a very important one, it has always been a favorite
one with me, and I think an effort should be now made to get the
school under way, it can be added to afterwards—in fact it will
naturally increase as its reputation becomes known and I fear that
if the present opportunity passes of geting a permanent teacher
another may not o[ffer so] on. I will however unite in support of any
general plan to establish Schools, which will do the most public
good—
Please present my best respects to Mrs Bell. Mrs Powel Dr.
Wells and family etc
S. F. Austin [Rubric]
The subject of preaching must be managed with prudence, for I do
assure you that it will not do to have the Methodist excitement raised
in this country— All this is for your eye, and your confidential
friends, and not for the public indiscriminately
[Addressed:] J.H.Bell