New Orleans, March 20, 1831
Col S F Austin
My dear Sir I have written you a long letter by this conveyance
on the subject of Mr Wares propositions. I have since had further
conversation with him and find he wishes to come to some conclusion
on the subject before his departure for Philada if practicable.
In the absence of any advices from you I am some what at loss
what to decide upon. Genl Terans officio to the Consul requesting
him to facilitate by passports emigrants to your colony and also to
Dewits and McMullens looks more favorable as does the advice from
Brasoria that the collector sent by Bradburn had orders to respect
indentures of servants. We are satisfied that Buy has no exclusive
right and that the enterprise might be safely undertaken. Mr
Ware is willing to embark in the matter immediately and take his
chance for a grant of land, if I will take the direction of the
business; This I would do if my solicitation were granted but were
I to engage myself as director of this concern, and get no land for
myself nor for the manufacturing concern it would be a bad move.
I must therefore continue here in suspense until the eve of his
departure in the hope that in the mean time something definitive on
the subject of my solicitation may reach me.
I see that your contract for 500 families expires on the 20th May
next consequently what ever is to be done under that grant must be
done promptly I therefore give you our views that whatever may
be needful to be done at Saltillo may be done whilst you are there
so far as you may deem it expedient
1st It would be desirable to secure a good Mill seat in a good
position. This we could not expect to do in vacant land and must
purchase. It is said Houghs on the Bernard or peach creek is the
best in the Colony and that he offered to sell his league and an
half for 2000$ but the question arises, can he alienate with legal
title, for not having cultivated in totality? It will not do to expend
40,000$ on land that may be taken away from us:— The same
difficulty might arise were we to use steam power on a purchased tract.
Can this difficulty be obviated without legislative provision? 2° We
cannot now give you the name in which to locate the grant for the
encouragement of a cotton manufactory and may not be able to do
it before the 20 May. Is there any mode by which you can get legal
authority to grant a premium of 11 leagues to the proprietor of the
Cotton Factory, being resident, on his putting in actual operation
at least 1000 spindles if you think proper to do so? This would
arm you for a contract with any other party should this one back
out, but I should expect you to give us the preference if the thing
be done.
My first intention was, in case my solicitation were granted to go
to England with a small Brig to get my equipment and a stock
of goods for the colony at first cost to make arrangements for a
direct trade between the colony and England, procure English
Artizans to erect my buildings and laborers under indentures for two
or three years, and run out direct to Port Austin west end of
Galveston in October or November next. At the same time I could
ascertain whether a contract could be made for supplying the King's
dockyard with live oak, rail road, etc—-but I cannot command funds
enough to do it on my own acct, I do not chuse to engage in it for
the benefit of others. The duty on foreign timber is too high in
England for private contract there. From New York I learn that
live oak cut promiscuously will not more than pay charges from
Florida but large timber cut to moulds is valuable. Mr Echford
who has the most knowledge of anybody on this subject is to send
me all needful information and the best mode of making it
available. I mentioned in my last Mrs Holleys desire to obtain a
settlement grant for herself and son. She is fully determined to go
to the Colony if she can get land for her son. In case you think
proper to comply with her wish please enclose her the form of
application for her to sign and send back. Her adress is—Mrs Mary
Austin Holley care of Mr Hermogene La Branch New Orleans.
She intends to pass the Summer here, her sons name is Horace
Holley. Respectfully and cordially yours H Austin [Rubric]
I have this moment recd a letter from our cousin Charles Austin
now Mayor of Tallahasse, Florida. He says Mr Morgan who has
just returned from Texas, has set the people Texas mad and many
say they shall go there this fall, he says good lands sell there at
5 or 6$ pr Acre 25$ pr acre has been offered for Lafayettes 22.000
acres. That country in general is wretchedly poor. His son Thomas
Hopkins Austin is now here, a fine young man, I have placed him
with Mr Bogert for the present. He wishd to visit Texas but is
not yet experienced enough to trade in that country. Charles says
he had been desired to call him home to join a young man of Capital
in an adventure to Texas.
[Addressed:] Al Sor Coronel Estevan F Austin Leona Vicario ó Saltillo