San Felipe de Austin June 17 1830
Confidential
S Rhoads Fisher Esqr.
My dear Sir, I have just recd yours of 2d inst requesting
information as to the political aspect of affairs in this country; the
course which the Govt are pursuing towards the settlers; and ask-
ing my advice as to the removal of your family here the ensuing
fall.
In relation to the first,—it is rather difficult to say what is the
real state of things at present at the seat of Govt in Mexico. So
far as can be infered from the public prints, things are more
settled than they have been for some time, and Bustamante appears
to sit more quietly in the Presidential chair than he did. Genl
Bravo has defeated the force that was in the field near Áccapulco
in support of Guerrero and the latter seems to be a fugitive.
Perhaps it would be safe to say that no certain calculations can be
made as to the political affairs of the capital, or as to what changes
may take place in the form of Govt, or whether any. I am
inclined to think that none will be made, altho, there seems to be a
party in favor of a central Govt.— In this colony all is peace,
harmony, and union—more than ever has been: The prospects of crops
are very good and promise abundance.
On the 2d point— The policy of this Govt seems to have changed
as to colonization in Texas, as you may see by the 11th article of
the law of 6th of April last, which prohibits emigration from the
U. S.— The 10th Article of that law however declares that no
variation shall be made in the colonies already established This
completely covers my colony, for it is established, and no legal
impediment can be interposed to the emigration of the colonists
who properly belong to my contracts, neither do I believe that any
will be.
If an opinion can be formed from the public prints, this law has
been produced by a chain of circumstances, some of which are the
following. Mr. Poinsett became very unpopular, as it seems, and
the prints of Mexico are teeming with the most bitter invectives
against him. This odium seems to have extended to the American
people and Govt, to a considerable degree. The charges (so far
as they can be infered from Newspapers for I see no proofs) are
that Mr. P. intermed[dled] with the internal affairs of Mexico—that
he formed and organised political parties—that he fomented
disunion—that his object in doing so was to defraud this Govt, out of
Texas. In proof of this they say that as soon as all Mexico was
thrown into convulsions by the virulence of the Yorkino (founded
as is said by P—) and the Escoses parties, the Jackson papers of
the U. S. Simultaneously vociforated " we must have Texas" - That
P— was concerned in the grantsof Exiter [Exter] and Zavala , for
colonizing in Texas, this caused a suspicion by inference, that as
he was the agent and representative of the U S. that Govt was also
secretly a colonizer, and had improper views as to this country. To
all this the little imprudences and silly expressions of some of the
settlers on the frontiers of Texas and elsewhere, have been added,
greatly magnified, and construed by some into disobedience, or a
wish to be disobedient etc, etc,—To these matters, have also been
superadded reports, that the present representative of the U. S. Govt
to Mexico, was sent especially to purchase, Texas from Guerrero,
while he had Dictatorial powers, and was under the control of Zavala,
who it is known was under that of Poinsett—The time when this
offer is said to have been made is also noticed, that is when the
nation was pressed for money, and in distress owing to the Spanish
invasion, internal divisions etc. etc. Perhaps I hazard nothing in
saying that causes may be discovered in this train of circumstances,
in connection with others, which would have roused the suspicions
of any people, and more particularly when it is remembered that
the north is a giant, and Mexico a new and not firmly organised
Govt, and also that the U. S. have silently, as it were, extended
their dominion over the vast regions of Louisiana, Missouri,
Oregon etc.
I give you this detail in order that you may form some idea
of the apparent causes, of the change as regards Colonization in
Texas— Some on the other hand say that it proceeds from British
influence or from a desire to exclude foreigners and liberal
principles, as a stepping stone to the establishment of a central republic,
and aristocracy, or a monarchy. The free admission however of
all other foreigners, into Texas except North American, and of the
latter every where else in the nation seems to contradict this idea.
1— Queries: will not the true prosperity and happiness of Texas
be more effectually promoted by a Swiss, French, German, and
English population , than by an American one, nature seems to
have intended Texas for a vineyard to supply America with wine.—
2— Is not Slavery a curse which must lead to the total ruin and
butchery of all southern slave countries, and is it not the duty of
the Mexican Govt, and the true interest of every citizen of Texas
to keep this country clear of it— A few years more and Mexico
will be the only resting place left for the whites South of Illinois,
unless the blacks are exterminated by a general massacre by the
Whites; and afterwards excluded from being brought into the
country— In a century more either the whites, or the blacks must
cease to exist in the southern States, or they must intermarry and
all be placed on an equality.—
3— Is it not rather unkind in the U. S. to try to extend its vast
and unwieldy frame over a part of the territory of its neighbor?
and is it not impolitic and dangerous even to the integrity of that
nation to enlarge its limits any farther—?
4— Will not Texas be equally prosperous as a State of the
Mexican confederation?
5— If this Govt, totally falls into ruin and this nation should
be split up into separate republics, will not Texas be better
independent, than as a part of the U. S.
6— Can Texas ever be attached to the U S. without becoming a
slave state, and does not phylanthropy and the happiness of so large
a portion of the human race, as can be supported here, imperiously
demand, that slavery should be forever excluded from it ?
7— Is it not a duty which the U. S., as being the most powerful
owes to its weaker neighbor to step forward and make a full fair
and candid examination of the causes which have produced the
present excitements in Mexico against her citizens, and if any of
them or her public agents have been in fault to make it apparent—
8— Is it not the duty of the U. S. even to overlook any little
jealoucies which the Mexicans may have manifested, and to pursue
a conciliatory, rather than a harsh course?—
I think that an able and prudent pen that understood the
character of the Mexicans, might do much general good by discussing the
above queries in a prudent and masterly manner in the Philadelphia,
New York, Baltimore etc papers— the national Gazette would be
a good paper for such a discussion—.
News paper publications of the character of "Americanus,"
" Patriot " etc added to the train of circumstances which I have stated-
have done great harm to the interests of Americans in Mexico-
publications of an opposite character would do much good, by
removing the impressions now prevalent in Mexico that all those
publications proceed from the Govt, and that the object is to excite the
American people to rush into Texas and take it right, or wrong.—
It has always been my policy to keep Texas out of the news papers,
but it has been dragged in by others and it must now be kept in,
but the other side of the question must now by discussed—that is to
say, that it ought not to he attached to the U. S. but remain attached
to Mexico— it might be stated in favor of this (with reference to
the interests of Texas) that the coasting and internal trade and
manufacturing advantages will afford more benefits, than anything
which could be gained by an union with the North, in fact that
nothing will be gained by the union but the admission of Slavery and
that it would be a curse etc, etc,— And with reference to the interests
of the U. S. it may be truly urged that, an extention of territory to
the S. W. would cause a seperation of the union etc, etc, etc—
I recommend this matter to your attention you will of course
see its vast importance, and its great delicacy— An excitement has
been written up against the U. S. and Americans in Mexico— the
object is to write it down—by removing the causes of jealouscy, and
soothing the feelings of the Mexicans and even tickling their vanity
in a judicious manner—
As regards my own individual views and objects I will give them
to you with the most perfect frankness and candor. It has been,
and is, my ambition to redeem Texas from the wilderness, and to
lay a solid foundation for its future prosperity. I do not believe
that, that object can be effected by any kind of union with the U. S.
for such an union would of course intail slavery on this fair region,
which may be made the Eden of America— satan entered the sacred
garden in the shape of a serpent— if he is allowed to enter Texas
in the shape of negros it will share the fate of Eden,— We have
been well treated by the Mexican Govt, and we are bound by our
oaths to be faithful to it— I will loose my life before I will forfeit
that obligation or do aught which my duty as a Mexican citizen
forbids—. I wish to see a foundation laid here for the happiness
of posterity, as well as for that of the present generation— I have
no kind of views or ambition for office, neither am I avericious—
my constitution is much broken and I wish for peace and quiet
retirement on a stock farm—
Perhaps you might embark some able and prudent person on the
right side of the Texas question in Philadelphia—or in other words
on the side of justice and general phylanthropy and peace. I am
totally incompetent to such a task, and besides it would do more
good in the papers of the U. S. than here, for the excitement was
gotten up there and there it ought to be put down-
Timothy Flint (the western review) at Cincinnatti would be a
master hand. I had an acquaintance with him in St Louis many
years ago If you go there you may if you chuse shew him this letter,
but as confidential.
Governments like individuals are often moved by trifles— It
may seem to us a silly idea that this nation can be operated on by
news paper publications in the U. S.—but such is the fact (as regards
Texas) for it has been deeply operated upon to our prejudice by
Americanus and Patriot etc, etc—
My dear Sir let me beg of you to be prudent in the management of
this matter (if you move in it at all)— Lord Chesterfield (I believe
it was) said that a man had more to fear from imprudent friends
than from the bitterest enemies— I am not anxious on my own
account— my health warns me that my days are drawing to a close,
but I have been the means of drawing many families to Texas, and
their present and permanent welfare and happiness is very dear to
me, and costs me many anxious hours and days— The object, of
bringing forward such a country as this, is an immence and an hon-
orable one, it requires infinitely more talents and more strength of
constitution than I possess, and I wish to enlist some efficient aid.
I send you a publication made in Mexico by which you can see
the general tone in that quarter.
As regards the removal of your family I have to say that my
brother in law James F. Perry left here three weeks since to bring
his, and I have this day written to him to come on in the fall and not
mind what he sees in the public papers.
This is the best answer I can give to your 3d enquiry
Should you see my relative Thos. F. Learning please remember me
to him
I returned from Bexar a few days since, all is well with the State
authorities- no news from Bowie or your petition— The Govt
are encouraging Manufactories as you can see by the law of 6 april—
write me often, our coasting trade is open for foreign vessels
S. F. Austin [Rubric]
By a pacific and just course I have brought forward this colony to
what it is-— the same course cannot fail to continue the
advancement of its prosperity— some visionary men think that a civil war
would lead to the independence of Texas— perhaps it might—but
admitting it would, I have one objection to it which with me is
conclusive and paramount—it would he unjust—this is not my only
objection, there are hundreds, but this one is enough—
The settlers here are really well off, and are satisfied—the only
worm that now works in their heads is that no more emigration is
to come they are not to have Slaves etc—a prudent course will
remove all these difficulties— We must prove to this Govt, by our
conduct that we deserve its confidence—we must get in Swiss, and
Germans and I think that if you could excite some educated, common
sence, practical men of those nations to come and view this country;
it would be the means of paving the way for a great emigration—
our country men in general want slaves-— this is a troublesome
question to get on with, they must be reasoned with and brought
round by degrees and prudence— The minds of the people here at
this time are very quiet and settled, but one imprudent measure on
the part of Govt, would have a dreadful effect-— This must be
closely watched and guarded against if possible and harmony and
peace preserved
I send you a copy of my letter to the Alabama Gentlemen who
were out here last fall and contracted to emigrate— I have,
requested them to publish it in Tuscumbia papers—they may not do
it owing to what I have said about Slavery—if they do not you can
if you chuse, exercise your judgement and publish it or not, as you
think best, in some Philadelphia paper— write me your candid
opinion as to the course of policy which I have indicated in this
letter— if you disapprove of it—state your reasons—and suggest
alterations— Try and pry into old Hickorys cabinet so far as to
know what they wish to do as regards Texas, how they feel towards
this nation—tho. I cannot believe that they can have any hostile
feelings for I know of no just motive—
I have scribbled a long letter—too long to Sacmt en limpia, and
must send it all blotted and scratched etc. I have a rough copy of
it—a correct translation of the Voz de la patria, might serve as a
text, to preach from, for it will shew that hostile feelings do exist
in Mexico, it will then be natural enough to ask, why they exist?—
S. F Austin [Rubric]
Do you know Mr. McQueen of New Orleans— he writes well I
am told and intends removing here exercise great judgement in
enlisting prudent and safe men as writers on this subject, S.
Williams has a son