Detroit, Oct. 22d. 1832.
Dear Sir,
I beg leave to introduce to your acquaintance, Mr. Saml D. Colt Jr.,
a young gentleman of Massachusetts. He has spent some months
in this Territory, and finding his health poor, and business here not
answering his expectations, he determined on going to the
delightful region which I constantly praise and often dream of—-Texas,
I regret to say, that after all my exertions and arrangements I
cannot get ready to remove my family this fall. It was more
difficult than I anticipated to arrange numerous accounts, which had
been accumulating for more than twelve years, and to change my
little property into money—and I found that I could not depart
for Texas, with enough in my pocket to render me independent of
contingencies that were very probable. However, I do not doubt
that I shall be in a condition to undertake the enterprise next season.
Since my return I have conducted a weekly journal in this city,
and have occasion [ally] published articles relative to Texas, which
have been well received and copied into other papers. During the
coming winter I propose to myself to write and publish several
numbers upon the same subject.
The pamphlet, containing the interesting proceedings of the past
summer, reached me some weeks since. It has been in great demand
among my reading and enterprising acquaintance, and will effect
much good for Texas.
Believe me, my dear sir, there has been no disappointment in my
worldly affairs, which has caused me more regret, than my inability
to carry into effect my intention to remove to Texas this fall. I
feel that I shall not rest contented until I am settled for life in that
genial climate and delightful country; and every month that I
am withheld from the gratification of the predominant desire, I
consider as a great and absolute loss.
You will see several gentlemen in your colony in the course of
the winter, coming from this portion of the Union; and I should
not be suprised if the fame of Col. S. F. Austin, and interest which
Texas has excited, will soon cause you more trouble (by increasing
your visitors) than you are prepared to encounter.
I should be very glad to receive letters from you often; and rest
assured, that any suggestion of yours will receive that attention
which my sincere desire for the welfare of Texas and your intimate
acquaintance with her interests, cannot fail to secure. I beg, sir,
you will, at least, think me willing and able to do a little for the
good of Texas.
Gen. Mason left his home in this city a few days since, for N.
York, whence he will go to Washington. Before setting out for
Texas he will return to this place; and in all probability he will
not see you until February or March next.
I perceive by a Nashville paper that the Tenesee company are
about sending an agent to Mexico, in order to arrange their claims.
I also learn, by a gentleman just returned to this place from N. York,
that a Mr. Jamieson had been engaged to survey lands for the N. Y.
compy in the grants bordering the Trinity, etc.
If Mrs. Holly is in Texas please give her my respects and best
wishes for her happiness. Remember me also to Mr. Williams and
other gentlemen who have not forgotten me,
John P. Sheldon [Rubric]
Col. S. F Austin