San Felipe de Austin Augt 20. 1830
Mr E. R. Weightman
Mr Ira Ingram informs me that you understand from my
instructions relative to laying off his tract, that it was to be east of the
town tract, and that its northern boundary must be a due east line
extended from the S. E. corner of Lesassier's league
You are aware that I can not say what degree of the compass the
lines must run, or how many varas must be given on each line, so
as not to injure other tracts, and give to each its proper shape etc, for
this can only be ascertained by actual survey.
The general rule which has always been observed and which you
must follow in this case, is to decide the local advantages of water,
timber, etc as nearly equal betweeen all the tracts as the situation and
circumstances will permit, and not to cross any leading or navigable
creek or bayou, or inlet—also to leave no vacancies at all in any part
of the Prairie, no matter where they may be—
In applying this rule to particular tracts you must of course
exercise your own judgment and act under your own responsobility—
Ingram is to have a tract east, or eastwardly of the town tract— if
the situation requires that only 2500 varas front on the bay be given
to it and that it be run back behind the river leagues for quantity—
so let it be run— if it requires that 4000 varas front be given—so
let it be— if the back line must run N.E. or any other course—so
let it be—
Mr Wilson is to have the next tract east, or eastwardly—or north
eastwardly of Ingram fronting on the Bay—
Mr. Veeder(?) wishes his quarter run so as to include all the
branches of the creek, above Buckners labors If it will not injure,
or interfere with any other tract, nor leave any vacancies, or irregular
shaped tract, to run it in the way he wished it—you can so run it—
but of this you must be the judge, for it is very evident that I cannot
and ought not to fix positively how the lines must run, for I have
not sufficient data to judge properly on the subject— you must
exercise your own judgment, and act on your own responsability in
the matter—
I made a mistake in saying that S. R. Fishers tract was on the
west side of the Creek— his tract is on the east side next below
Peytons— and Jaques on the West side— the creek at this place
cannot be crossed—
I presume that Hoit will not interfere with Fisher's or any other
tract, if he does he must give way— he is to get his league it is
true—but he merits nothing—
S. F. Austin [Rubric]
N. B. do not forget my tract on Live oak or on the lake below
the others which I spoke to you about
A [Rubric]
[Addressed::] Mr. E. R. Weightman Matagorda