Danville Jany 19 1830
Col. Austin
Sir Though I have not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance,
yet perhaps my standing and character may not be entirely unknown
to you. I am now in the fifty eighth year of my age, have been a
minister of the Presbyterian denomination now more than 37 years
and for the last three years have held the Presidency of Centre
College at Danville. I give you the information to prepare the
way for some inquiries I wish to make of you respecting the portions
of country held by you, and by some other Americans in the region
of Texas. My family are nearly grown and, including myself, we
have in the connection five ministers and I am disposed to make a
settlement some where that might bring together 40 or 50 or even 100
families and thus spend the evening of life amongst my friends in
promoting the cause of literature and religion; and leave them with
prospects of doing good in the world. I have thought of your
country but am not in possession of sufficient information to enable
me to make a fair conclusion and have therefore taken the liberty
of troubling you with the following enquiries. 1st Is your title
free from dispute. Also the other 2 or 3 American claims in your
region;
2d Is there liberty of conscience and the free exercise of religion?
3d. Is the climate safe for constitutions formed in Kentucky and
Tennessee?
4th What is the quality of the soil generally, is it timbered
or naked. Will it admit a dense population or must the settlements
be sparse?
5th What is the quality of the water, are springs numerous and
wholesome— Are streams frequent and permanent, suited to
manufacturing and commerce?
6th Is yours a region of mosquitoes and full of fevers?
7th Are you exposed to Indian ravages ?
8th What proportion of your settlement is French or Spanish?
9 What is the state of improvement in your society, in
agriculture, commerce, education, and religion ?
10 Will the Mexican government seriously oppose the U. S.
extending to the Del Norte?
11 Are the present settlers satisfied with the government which
they are under. Can they enjoy to a good degree the right of self
government?
12 What bounties would be granted to settlers especially to such
a settlement as stated above? It would contain many literary
characters and perhaps from 20 to 30 young men who have nearly
finished a classical course. What is the usual price for land by
purchase?
13 What are the ordinary expenses of living? Can the
necessary and absolute conveniences of life be easily obtained ?
14 What is the best mode of approaching your settlement,
whether by water by the mouth of the Brazos or by Red River if
by the latter the point of debarcation and the distance by land
from that point and also the practicability of the route?
15 What is the size of your grant? What of Milams, of
Leftwich and do they lie contiguous ?
Should you be kind enough to favor me with information on
this subject please direct your communications to Gideon
Blackburn President of Centre College Danville Kenty and I will be
happy to receive it as soon as you might find it convenient.
GiDn Blackburn
Col. Austin Commandant of Texas.