New York January 27 1832
My dear Cousin,
Your Esteemed favor of the 27th Ulto. is at hand and contents
noted with a lively interest. In answer to your main question, I
will refer you to my letter to Henry per yesterdays mail, via New
Orleans, as showing that no time had been lost since the receipt of
your and his letters, that the business is in its proper train
appears to have excited due interest, and as far as could judge did
not think you need fear the result etc, etc, etc., which I requested
him to communicate to you immediately on receipt and would write
further next week. A friend, wellknown to Henry, in whom, as
he will tell you, the utmost confidence can be placed, takes a deep
interest and will render every aid in his power to accomplish the
object and I know no one better qualified or that has half the weight
with the principal gentlemen interested in the Galveston Bay
Company that he has or who is so well informed on the subject generally
or the means of obtaining so correct information either private or
otherwise and further I am well satisfied he will go heart and hand
with us, a true friend every wish of him, so that whatever we do
you may rely on secrecy. I could wish however, that you could
see Mr. M. [John T. Mason?] as I have good grounds for believing
he would meet your views and wishes fully with ample power to
act. It is possible he may be with you, as he with Mr. Butler were
to have left the City of Mexico for your colony, the present month,
but is to be feared the Counter revolution of which advises were
received here last packet from Vera Cruz, majr detain them both.
I send you and Henry, with this, an abridgement of the
Colonization Laws etc of Mexico, just published by Col. Langworthy, who
visited your colony the last year. Have also sent Mrs Holley a copy.
I regret extremely that circumstances should delay your intended
visit, which we have been anticipating with so much pleasure. My
sister Mary, appears, from her letters, perfectly delighted with her
visit to your colony, says there is no mistake or exageration as to
the favourable impression she had previously received that she
wishes all she has was there and that she would not return upon
any account, she mentions her book on Texas, and was to send the
manuscript per first packet. Also requests me to pay fifty dollars,
for her, on your account, which Mr. Leaming has drawn for, and his
Draft duly paid, agreeably to your letter of advise, and the amount
placed to the debit of Mrs. Holley. It is to me highly gratifying to
hear you passed your time so agreeably atHenrys as well as the high
commendations in which you name Mrs. H. She mentions that visit
with rapture and says would have done me good to have seen how
all enjoyed it, and quite made me wish myself and wife could have
been of the party, as I know nothing that could give me more
pleasure than to make you a visit, but fear will be some time yet
before circumstances will admit of it which alone keeps me here.
The weather is so intensely cold, it is with difficulty I can direct my
pen (4 Degrees below zero) I beg you will let me hear from you
by every opportunity as I can but feel an intense interest in your
and colonys welfare.
J. P. Austin
P. S. I would refer you to the enclosed letter recd, per last packet
from Vera Cruz, as giving some particulars of the movements there.
I also send with this a file of papers for your and Henrys perusal,
which will give much interesting matter if not previously received
and to which I would refer. To days mail from Washington, brings
the news of the rejection of the Senate of the nomination of the
Honbl. Martin Van Buren as minister to London.
J. P. A.