Dear Sir
it is with much regret that we hear that the p[e]ople of st Philepe
is still keeping up a difficulty among themselves and is
concequinteally Calculated to give uneasiness to the p[e]ople genarly—-I fear
there is some who do not think as they should do of the necessity of
harmony and Good feelings among the people Gennorly but suifer
their inflamatry feelings to leed them to far it may be they suifer
their veiws of Interest to over-ride their duty to the publick Good
and I fear the Gentlemen of the bar has no small shear in the affair
I am of opinion that if the lawers do not Change their manner of
doing business or there is not a stop put to their management in
some way that it will be productive of more sereous Injury to the
Collony than they are aware of or prehaps to themselves in short
there is more Clamour among the p[e]ople against the proceeding
at that place than I have heard on any subject and they all agree
that the lawers is intitled to the principal blame—I have paid all
attention to what is passing in my power and am Convinced that
the people have little hope but in you for a reformation—they all
have Confidence that you will as you have done do all in your power
for the publick Good. I am Convinced that you have much in your
power and that you have the intire confidence of the people and
that any measure you [approved] would meet their seport and
apprebation what have you not done for us and what may you not
yet do— I received your letter on the subject of establishing a
school and have spoken to the p[e]ople Genarly the[y] are all
willing to Give it liberal support but object intirely to sending
their children to San Philipe in fact they are so disgusted with
the precedings at that place that there is nothing that Centers there
that they will have any thing to do with—as to my own part I
would do any way that a mejority might think best—
My opinion is that if the lawers ware placed in a situation to go
to work and Could be converted into good farmers that all things
would go on well and quietly and I think I risk nothing whin I say
that this is the opinion of the p[e]ople Genarly—and also that any
measure you may perpose would meet their aprobation, and also
that they look to you alone as having it in your power to remady
the Evils they now Complain of—and their whole hope is that you
will be with them in using your Influince and means for the Good
of the Collany and they beleave that while the lawers Continue as
they are that they have nothing but Confusion to hope for.—
it is rumored that our Ayuntimiento is preparing a petition to
the Legislature of the state to pass a law to levy a tax on the Collany
I think it a subject that ought to be well reflected on the people is
pore and a tax should be as little resorted to as possable
J. H. Bell