Northumberland [Pennsylvania] August 23. 1830
Colonel S. F. Austin
My Dear Sir I again address you in consequence of having
received yours of 17th June, tho, my opinion on its leading subject
has been anticipated in mine of 14 and 20th Insts: I mean Slavery,
that you were in favour of a free population is no surprise to me,
believing that every reflecting man of equal intelligence must be so;
but I was not prepared to learn that your determination was so
decided as you have expressed it at the present juncture— I
conceive each member of our little democracy, however inconspicuous
his standing, has an unquestionable right to a free expression of
opinion, in whatever relates to the policy of the State, and much
more of the colony: under this view then, I feel no hesitation in
saying that I believe the Interests of the Colony will be essentially
injured, should the course of policy,—the non admission of slaves-
mentioned in yours of 17th: June be adopted— Most of your
Colonists are from Slave-holding States—they have enrolled
themselves in your register under the firm conviction that slavery would
be tolerated, and that they would be secure in the ownership of
those brought by them —-Many others have made arrangements
with you to remove, and with an express understanding that they
could safely bring their negroes with them.
From your approximity to the Southern States, and from the
favorable feeling already pervading her citizens, Texas may fairly
anticipate a population from that quarter, more speedy and more
numerous than from the northern and Eastern, and this I conceive
is at present all important: added to which, do you believe that cane
and cotton can be grown to advantage by a sparce white population?
or are the whole cane and cotton growing districts of your delightful
country to still remain a wilderness of flowers—a waste of richness ?
It is impossible! Men remove from their Homes to better their
situations, they submit to deprivations and encounter difficulties for the
accumulation of wealth; and they will pursue that course of conduct
which they believe will the soonest and the most certainly put them in
possession of it— they will raise cane and cotton in preference to
wheat and oats, when they live in a country peculiarly calculated
for it, and as they cannot raise these staples without slave labour,
they will raise them with it— there is no country in the world
where these articles are grown unless by the assistance of Slaves,
or where the population is so dense or so abject as to always place at
the option of the proprietor any force commensurate to his wants—
on this half of the continent thank God I the latter cannot be the
case for centuries; therefore we must either abandon the finest portion
of Texas to its original uselessness or submit to the acknowledged, but
lesser evil of Slavery— In mine of 14th Inst without being made
acquainted with your views, I stated as my opinion the expediency
of Texas allowing the free admission of Slaves for -five years: this
is a short period of time, but of sufficient length to enable a Southern
emigration to introduce as many as would supply the actual wants
of the colony— let the law of permission be then repealed and one
substituted, making their introduction under any pretense highly
penal— as soon as this is the case an emigration will rapidly
commence from the South, and their time having expired, the Eastern
people will in their turn view Texas as their Home— the very
circumstance of it being measurably settled by Southerners which in
their opinions is synonimous with wealth will act as a strong
inducement to their coming in among us— these men will naturally seek
the grain-growing districts, while those from the South will as
certainly settle where they can raise sugar and cotten—or suppose a
line should be drawn—say the Opelousas road to San Felipe, thence to
Bejar— thence, following the Leona Vicario road till it strikes the
river Nueces thence following its course to the Mouth— let the
district of country lying between this Cordon and the gulf be
appropriated to Slaves, and the other side be exempted from them—
all parties would thus be suited, and each peculiar soil be brought
into requisition— But it is not now necessary to discuss the subject
at length; it is one of deep and serious interest, and should be
viewed with great deliberation, and without prejudice— were we
exclusively a grain-growing State, I should most strenuously
cooperate with you in support of the non-slave holding principle;
as it is—I must see you before I decide—
Allow me to thank you for the passports; and here I will mention
a thing which may be all important to me—I may probably come out
in a vessel drawing full twelve feet, having understood there was
always at least that water at Paso Cavallo, and sometimes more, and
that with this dft. one may readily go up to " Dog Island " even
without a pilot: should my information be incorrect you will greatly
oblige me by employing Mr. Tone or some one equally qualified to
keep a look out from the 20 October—and board any vessel which
may be standing for the Pass:
S Rhoads Fisher—