Comargo Sept 24th 1829
Col. S F Austin
My deae Sir I wrote you from Matamoros, advising you of my
arrival there with a steamboat to commence the navigation of this
river. Bravo del Norte I have been up nearly to Revilla, where I
found the river so dangerous in low water that I did not think it
prudent to proceed up at this late season.— At the
commencement of the wet season the river May be Navigated quite to presidio
del Norte, but as that season is now nearly passed, I shall confine
My trips for the winter to this place
Between Matamoros and this, the river is navigable and Safe
but I have great reason to apprehend there will not be business
enough to support the boat We have by law the privilege of taking
up lands but the unoccupied lands on this River are not worth
having.
I was induced to embark in this operation by the hope of
retrieving my ruined fortune and of laying a foundation for an estate for
my family by Securing a large tract of land. Before leaving the
US I laid before Govt a Memoir on the western boundary pointing
out the advantages of exchanging the land beyond the Rocky
Mountains for those between this River and the U S and suggesting the
Mode in which it might be effected had I a Sure conveyance I would
Send you a copy of it— I have reason to believe there is now a
negociation pending on the Subject-
Now I have reason to apprehend that my present effort will not
realize the expected advantages and some reason to fear it may result
in a failure—in which case, I should only be able to save my self
from ruin by taking the boat to some place where She could be
Sold or employed to advantage-
Can you inform Me whether the laguna which is laid down on the
Map as extending from Brassas St lago to the Colorado River is
Navigable with four feet water, if not by what rout could a
Steamboat be transported from the Mouth of this river to Galveston bay
or to New Iberia Is there sufficient wealth produce and travel in
your quarter to employ a steamboat Could I obtain in your
neighbourhood a tract of good land in perpetuity either through you or by
application to the State
I wish extremely to have an interview with you but it is impossible
for me to leave the business I am engaged in even for three days—
I shall leave this in a week for Matamoros and return from there
with a cargo immediately—during the winter I will be alternately
here and at Matamoros as frequently as business May offer for the
boat and probably Make 2 or 8 trips pr month—
Henry Austin [Rubric]