Dr Brother,
In addition to the memorandum I sent you in my letter of the
other day, I wish you to get me copies of the constitutions of
Columbia, of Buenos Ayres of Chili, of Peru, and what is called
the Bolivian Code or constitution given by Bolivar to upper Peru
or Bolivia, they are all in Spanish— I think you can get them
at some of the bookstores, or perhaps from some individual who
has been to those countries.
In place of the scarlet jacket which I wrote for get me a blue
clothe vest to suit the surtout and not a scarlet one — bring me a
good raisor or two.
you must be particular if you come by land to have contracts
with the servants or the officer at Nacogdoches will interpose some
difficulties. If you come by water contracts are also necessary.
I hope you may get here by 1 of Decr for it is possible I may
have to leave here in the winter, the mail of today brings me letters
stating that I shall be voted for at Bexar to represent Texas in the
state Legislature, if so I shall be elected of course, for in this colony
I shall not loose a vote, and but few if any at Goliad and
Nacogdoches they have started me at Bexar the whole thing originated
with the native Mexican population of that place and Goliad—
I had no idea, and no wish for such a thing I cordially detest
politics in any country, and our affairs in Mexico have been so
entangled by some one (and it is suspected by an american) that I
dread entering within their reach— True it is that the prejudices
against north Americans are subsiding in Mexico, but still, there
are some remnants of bitter feeling left among the uninformed who
believed that Poinsett was the U. S. Government, and that all
north Americans were connected with his intreagues— The situation
will be an unpleasant, and perhaps a critical one, but an honest
and prudent course has always carried me safely through many
difficulties in this country and I have faith that it will continue
to do so.
The election is next month— The Legislature meets 1 of
January— there are two members only from all Texas: tho after this
year we shall have several more owing to an increase of population,
and the ratio is to be new moddled next session.
The result of the election will be published after it is over—
contrary to the custom in the U. S. but little is said about elections and
there is but little electionering in this country, a candidate who says
any thing himself, to influence votes can be deprived of his seat—
this has prevented open and public electionering—
"Remember me to Mr Learning and see about the Maps— I
perceive they are out, I want a number on rolers— they are for
presents to Mexicans and of course I wish for the best— Tanner will
realise more by that map, than by any thing he ever published in his
life and I rejoice that he will do so— tho I need some cash to pro-
cure a few choice Spanish, and English books of a literary and
historical character to try and improve my mind which needs it much,
for during the ten years I have spent in Texas, but few books have
come within my reach—
farewell may heaven bless you and land you and sister and the
young one[s] safe in the " wilds of Texas "
S. F. Austin [Rubric]
July 14 1830
I am greatly in need of Waits State papers, published in Boston.
I had them in Missouri but lost them in Arkansas— A number
subscribed for them at the Mines and I think a set might be got there
cheap.— In my other letter I wrote to you to get me a blue undress
Military surtout with a standing collar trimmed with black silk
cord—yellow bridle bits yellow spurs and yellow stirrups, these I
need very much and a pair of boots
[Addressed:] Mr James F. Perry Care of Price and Morgan
Philadelphia