New York July 21st—1830
Sir
In the year 1829 towards the latter end I wrote a Pamphlet on
the subject of Texas, shewing the propriety and the necessity of
annexing that Province to the United States, a copy of which I
forwarded to you by Captain Thompson late of the Mexican Navy,
which I hope came safely to hand—- Never having had the
opportunity of travelling in that country, I wrote from data collected
from a variety of persons strangers, and acquaintances, who had
visited the Province of Texas, and more particularly your Colony.
It is not improbable that [in] a hasty publication embracing points
of general policy some of the Ideas thrown on paper and statements
with regard to it were incorrect: In speaking of the characters and
descriptions of persons who have located and settled themselves
within the Province of Texas, if my information had been as minute
as subsequent opportunities had afforded means of Judging, I should
have made a marked discrimination in favor of those people who
have located and settled themselves in St Philipe De Austin— Upon
further investigation and enquiring into the plan of your settlement
on the Rio Brassos, I was much gratified to learn, that you had
wisely taken a stand in favor of moral rectitude, deeming those the
best settlers who had the highest pretensions to character on that
score—and that in all instances where persons of suspicious
character presented themselves for the facilities and liberal patronage
which you extend to settlers, you instituted the most rigid inquiries
and scrutiny into their private character. In every instance where
it was discovered the applicant had taken refuge in Texas, to escape
the Just punishment of crime committed within the United States
whose laws he had violated. That such persons have never met
your countenance, and have been prohibited a domicile in the
boundaries your Territories circumscribe. Being very lately impressed
with this Idea connected with the favorable light with which
I look upon the Country, its capacities to give to enterprize new
and reiterated energies, by offering to the early settler, a reasonable
prospect of gain where disease is rare, and the soil exuberant (a
location at once commercial and agricultural.) With these strongly
impressed considerations I have come to the determination of
locating my eldest Son Lewis some where in the province, and altogether
more than probable within your grant— To facilitate this enquiry
you will please address a letter to me as soon as circumstances will
permit, stating your terms to actual Settlers— The price of your
first rate Sugar Lands, in relation to all governing circumstances,
the proximity of Navigation direct, or as the case may be more
remote from Navigation. And as a preliminary of great consequence
to me, what term of credit if any is allowed ?
The object of my Son is to take up at least the quantity of Ten
thousand Acres, and unless facilities are given to [make] payments
he may not be able to bring round his engagements with punctuality.
My Son contemplates writing you on the subject whose letter will
reach you not long after this. I am informed that a Newspaper
is published weekly at St Philipe De Austin if it would be com-
patible with your convenience and not impose upon your politeness
too much trouble I should be much pleased to receive one or two
numbers of so interesting a Journal—
Wm. W. Morris [Rubric]
Colo. Stephen Austin
[Addressed] Col. Stephen Austin St Filepe De Austin Texas
Care of the Mexican Consul New Orleans
[Indorsed by Austin:] From the author of the "revolutionary
officer??