New York 31 May 1830,
My Dear Sir,
Your very interesting letter of 24 feby, elucidating with so
friendly a spirit, so much relative to your Colony, that I was
desirous to hear about, came safe to hand, and I assure you, I value it
much, as harassed as you must be with a multiplicity of avocations,
causes me to feel sensibly your kindness in gratifying my intrusive
questions, I however hope to reciprocate the same, in some measure
by promoting your views in regard to Swiss emigrants, that I shall
prevail on any to join you is yet doubtful, but I have had
conversations with Several Swiss Gentlemen on the subject, and I shall be
on the look out to find some of them that will take more interest, or
rather a more active interest, than those I have yet met with, Mr.
Richard a Swiss Gentleman who has resided many years in this
Country approved very much of the project, told me he had often
thought of Texas, as being a country well calculated for his
Countrymen, and thought it would be fortunate for them if they would
Emigrate to Texas, instead of coming here, that many of them, were
disappointed on their arrival here and were at times so much at a
loss to know which way to go on there arrival here, that he had
purchased a Tract of Land in this State, from no other cause, than
to find them a Speedy location, that his land was not however, or
rather the climate calculated for them, for it is in the northern part
of this State and too cold for them but they were in the habit of
going to Ohio, and other Western States, which was attended with
too much expence for many of them I told him, as I think would be
the best plan (if such a person could be found that would feel
Sufficient interest, to take the trouble to communicate the
information to his Country men) to send your pamphlet, and such other
information as I could give to some Swiss Genl [gentlemen] going
to Switserland, and for him to recommend them taking passage to
New Orleans so as to arive there in a healthy season, and proceed
from thence to your Colony, he was of my opinion but did not know
of any one going at present, and he was not acquainted with any one
that would be of use to send it to, out of the Canton he came from
(Geneva) where they were all, or principally mechanics,— at
present there do not appear to be many or any Swiss Emigrants in
the City about a month since another Swiss Genl [gentleman] told
me there would probaly be a good many here—
I called on Mr. Theoder Meyer a German many years a merchant
here, and consol for Hanover, who I have been long acquainted with,
he thought it would be difficult to prevail on his country men to go
there, under the impression that the climate would be to warm for
them, that they were generally pretty well of, and if three or four
of the most respectable familys that were disposed to Emigrate
could be prevailed on to go direct from their Country to Texas,
and should be pleased, you would have no difficulty in prevailing
on as many to follow, as you could wish, he thought it would be
best for you to send over some person to Germany, and prevail on
three or four Familys to come over, and pay the expences, but
this I presume would not be convenient for you at present—as I
said before I shall be on the alert—-in hopes that the information
you gave interesting to Swiss Emigrants, Might reach the Eyes
of some of them, that were on the look out for a favorable place to
locate, I thought best, and ventured to put an extract from your
letter in the Journal of Commerce, I found Mr. Meyer has seen it,
and was pleased with it, it paid his Countrymen a Compliment,
which had a good effect— you will on the receipt of this have
observed it, in that paper, as Mr. Halock the Editor, told me, he
forwarded them to you, he Mr. H expressed the high opinion he
entertained in regard to the Texas, and thinks it will become of
very great importance, ere long,— It is astonishing how you have
surmounted so many difficulties, as you have had to contend with
in such a variety of ways, and placed your Colony in a flourishing,
and prosperous Condition, there are but few men, if any that would
have had nerve, patience and perserverance to have acomplished
what you have done, I am glad to hear that it is now plain sailing
with you, and hope that you will now be able to resuscitate— Since
the last Revolution in Mexico took place we have heard no more
of the purchase of Texas— The Fabius that left Cadiz with Troops
in company with the squadron for Havana, arrived at the latter
place in 49 days passage, and I presume the other Ships with her,
it appears the Troops were only intended to replenish the Garison
of that place—They talked, and I presume were desirous in Spain
of sending another Expedition against Mexico, but the difficulty
appears to be the want of means, a letter from a Genl [gentleman]
dated in Cadiz who I think must have a good oppy of obtaining
information writes that he does not beleive that they will, or can
send Troops for want of means—
Henry writes under date of 4 April that he has had sickness, and
various difficulties to incounter but that his prospects were then
pretty favorable, I have not seen his wife since you wrote, she
resides with her Family in New Haven, I shall probably see her ere
long, when I will communicate what you wrote about her coming
to your land of promise it would be very difficult I presume for her
to make up her mind to go— I am very glad to hear that your
Sister was well, and that it was probable she and her Husband
would join you next fall, it will be a great acquisition and
gratification to you to have them so near— You intimate that you may
some day make us a visit, we should all be delighted to see you, but
I suppose we might almost as soon expect the Emperor of Russia
here, If you can so organise your colony as to be able to leave it
with safety, you will do wonders, but after what you have done,
we aught not to be surprised at your acomplishing any thing you
undertake— I only saw Mr. Treat a few minutes as he passed
through this City, but I hope on his return here, to have an oppy of
learning many particulars about your settlement—
I shall send some English and French newspapers by this
conveyance— I remain very affectionately
Arch Austin
Colo. Stephen F. Austin San Felepe de Austin Texas,
I observe the arrival of some Swiss passengers within a few days
past from Havre