Dr Sir,
I have sent Mr Selkerk for the purpose of making up another
set of hands so as to start another compass. The work that is
wanted will not be a very profitable job and rather bad railing.
I wish the coast meandered, beginning at Jinnins' camp on Colorado
and meandering down to its mouth, thence along the coast to the
Karankaway Bay.
I have understood that you had taken up a school and could not
leave there to survey, if this be the case I wish you to let Selkerk
have your compass. If it is in any manner injured I will pay you
its full value or should you wish to sell it I will give you Eighty
Dollars cash for it.
I wish you to speak to Burnham for the use of his best perogue
to take fresh water and provisions along the coast. We cannot do
without it and will pay for the hire if Burnham will not lend it.
Considering the badness of the running and the quantity of work
that must be done before Leagues can be run off I think that this job
will not be an object of sufficient importance for you to quit
your school. After the coast is all meandered the creeks must also
be all meandered and a general plot of the whole made and then
laid off in Leagues so that it will not be a profitable job for it is
probable that not more than one third of the Leagues will be
taken for some years—you can do as you please— If you want this
job you have had the promise of it, and can get it.
I shall wait here untill the meanders of the coast are all completed.
I think the best plan will be to let Selkerk have the compass.
Shall come by Matagorda on my return.
S. F. Austin
Jany 24, 1830
[Addressed] Mr. E. R. Weightman