[From Williams Papers, Rosenberg Library, Galveston, Tex.]
Bexar 28 December 1830
Dr Sam.
I arrived here last morning, and shall leave the day after
tomorrow by the upper road. I get an escort from here as far as
Rio Grande, and another from there to Saltillo— Madero will leave
in a few days for that place. I wish you to pay him all the
attention you can. Shew him some of the deeds that are finished
and explain the mode of translating the Surveyors return etc—also
the general plots, he is (I have no doubt) as true and warm a
friend as the North Americans have— he is a devoted friend of
Guerrero and opposed to Teran and the present administration—
on subjects of this kind it is best to be silent unless directly
questioned, in the latter case you will of course give prudent answers.
The people of this place are, in heart, unanimously hostile to the
present administration, and they are more friendly to the North
American emigration than they ever were. The state of affairs
in Mexico is, if any thing, more unsettled than ever. Teran I
believe will not go to Mexico, and I think it not improbable that he
may turn his course this way— from what I can learn both
Piedrass and the General are desirous to have a good standing with
the settlers— we ought to encourage this idea for we may derive
much benefit from it, at least so far as to keep off harsh orders etc.
I send you two hundred signatures, have certificates printed over
them verbatim like the others and fill them up, all except the name—
give as many to R. Williamson as he wants and send some to
McGuffin and some to Piedrass, and some to Col Thorn. Try and
have them printed at night when no one is present and take care
that none of the blanks get into other hands, let none know anything
of this but Lesassier and Williamson.
Settlers can get in with certificates from De Witt and he ought
to have about 200 struck off and sent to Arkansas and Natchitoches etc.
I presume you have heard all the news from Pettus and Johnson,
in this place there is Novedad de indios [rumor of Indians] every
hour—a large party were discovered yesterday on Medina near the
road.
Arciniega will be on by the 15 of next monto try and get the
coast colony out of the way by that time. I will write another letter
by him and one by Madero both of a public character, that is you
can shew them if you think proper, but this one no person must see
except Lesassier.
There can scarcely be a more difficult thing than to play a double
game, it is dangerous, and it is at times, a nice point to draw the
distinction between such a game and dishonor— we are so situated
that we must keep a good understanding with Teran and Alaman,—
but at the same time all our best friends at Saltillo and in Mexico
are very hostile to both those men. Silence, prudence, and vigilance,
must all be called in requisition. I shall have a dreadful task at
Saltillo—if I am compelled to come out and take sides openly, I
must go with the Viescas of course, in this event the whole pack with
Licenciado Aguirre at the head will open against me. Tho, it is best
not to anticipate trouble, in two weeks after I get there you shall
hear what the prospect is. Viesca has returned to the Govt.—this
is a good sign. Say nothing for, nor against Zavala, very rigid
orders have been issued by Teran prohibiting the admission of
Zavalas families
Keep peace and union at home, I shall not idle abroad.
I have written to De Witt to get 200 certificates of the same kind
of mine printed and signed by him and sent in blank to different
places. Aid the poor fellow along with it. Chambers has not yet
arrived. I cannot concieve what detains him. Pettus and myself
parted in such terms as I wish to be with all the settlers—I have
confidence in him now, and I think he has in me. The chiefs answer
to Williamson will inform you what has been done in his business—
A consulta with the Superioridad and nothing can be done until an
answer is obtained
Attend to the writing of the certificates (do) take care of my
signatures, don't put m[e] in the power of the printer or his boys. I
have written to [name illegible] on this subject
remember me to Mrs. Sweet and Sarah
S. F. Austin
[Addressed:] S. M. Williams Austin