Northumberland August 20th 1830
My Dear Sir,
Under date of 14th Inst: I had this pleasure at length: and
conceiving it right you should know whatever relates to Texas, I with
pleasure communicate to you such information as comes under my
notice— Since last writing you, I have met a french gentleman of
the name of Sorbe, who has a House at tampico— for two years
past he has been principally in the Interior, and I think has a
tollerably correct knowledge of the country-—he tells me the Barings
have made a very extensive purchase of land from the count of——-
his name I forget, who is now in Italy, they gave for it three millions
of Dollars, and that it is (if I am not mistaken) equal in extent to
150 leagues square, it comes close to Saltillo, and embraces Parras,
he says the purchase includes a number of villages, thó the precise
boundaries he could not give me— they are settling it fast growing
cotton, and are about erecting a cotton manufactory—a gentleman of
the name of Sterrett (I think) is their agent—I thought none but
Mexican Citizens could hold land in Texas!—
When I see you I shall want particular information relative to
Exeters grant, as I wish to set aright a gentleman of very
conspicuous standing in S. Carolina, who writes " I have received much
information about Texas, I hold some shares in theCoahuila, and
Texas company of which Dennis A. Smith of Baltimore is the agent,
I dined a short time ago with Mr. Poinsett who says the grant is
regular and valid—" either this gentleman is very much misled, or I
am, but how is [it] possible Mr. Poinsett can be mistaken ?
The owners of this grant of course want to make a speculation of
it—honestly if they can etc.—but under any circumstances is it not
our policy to let them take their own road; for each grant they (that
is Wilson and others) make, or each tract they sell, excites precisely
so much Interest in the minds of the people of the U. States, in
favour of Texas—
In my last letter I acknowledged receipt of yours of 4 July, and
mentioned that I should be at Matagorda with my family the last
of October and hoped Ingram would have as promised, a place of
shelter—in readiness
S. Rhoads—Fisher
[Addressed:] Colonel Stephen F. Austin Austin Texas care
of Gen: Wm. Robeson New Orleans