Detroit, Nov. 12,1832,
Dear Sir,
I have the satisfaction of introducing to your acquaintance Mr.
Robert Le Roy, (a connexion of mine) and Mr. E. Comstock. They
are young men of the strictest "probity, of the most exemplary habits,
and possessing enterprise and industry so as to render them an
acquisition to your colony, and to ensure to themselves an enviable
independence. They are but the pioneers of several families who
will leave this part of the U. States next season for Texas, and they
wish to find a place which will justify them in erecting a saw mill
and other works, and which will warrant the formation of a
neighborhood of fifteen or twenty families. With the families, (which
will be formed into an emigrating company) it is my intention to be
numbered—indeed, it is from my advice and representations, that
the plan has been adopted—consequently, you must be aware of my
solicitude respecting the location of the contemplated settlement. I
was much delighted with the district of country in the vicinity of
Brookfield's, but am not certain that water power of sufficient
magnitude can be had without it is found some 10 or 15 miles from him,
in some of the bends of the Colorado. A water power and timber
would be desirable. The former, I was told, is abundant in the
interior far as your most northern grantas —please direct the young
men to those parts where they will be most likely to find what they
desire, and also tell them what the advantages are for industrious
agriculturists and stock raisers. These young men are a sample of
those that will emigrate next season; and are such as will do, each
of them, more actual labor, either as merchanics or agriculturists,
than three or four men, black or white, that have been reared with
southern habits—they are just such as I know you wish to see
Texas filled with—and just such as your glorious country deserves.
I am more and more impressed with the correctness of your views,
as expressed to me, relative to the destinies of Texas, and the proper
policy to be pursued.
Mr. Le Roy and Mr. Comstock will inform you of the extent of
the desire to emigrate to Texas, among the people of the county in
which they live—the feeling is spread far even in this new country,
from even the slight information which has been diseminated among
them. What then could not be done in the eastern and northern
states, in the way of forming emigrating companies, if proper
measures were adopted ?
I feel, sir, that I have embarked in an important business, (the
arrangement and formation of an emigrating party) and it would
always be a source of regret to me, to be instrumental in deceiving
the hopes or just expectations of any one: for this reason, sir, I feel
that every particle of information from Texas, at all affecting the
interests and well-being of the settlers, will be of high importance,
I assure, you, sir, that those who emigrate with me shall not have it
to say that I withheld or misstated any thing in my power to
communicate, and important for them to know.
By the latest information which has reached me from Mexico, I
perceive that Santa Anna has met a reverse in the defeat of
Moctezuma—and that he himself is in somewhat a critical situation. Tell
me, sir, should those against whom Santa Anna took up arms,
prevail against him, will they dare attempt to be avenged on those of
Texas who have declared in his favor? Or will they dare attempt
to narrow the privileges of your colonists, from the disposition
which they have manifested to abrogate the abominable law to pre-
vent emigration, and the desire which they have expressed to be a
sovereign state of the Republic? For myself, I am certain that, let
the civil commotion terminate as it may, the people of Texas need
not, from that result, be subjected to any loss, or have their prospects
of rapid advancement in wealth and importance, much impeded—so
sure am I that the dominant party in Mexico, must be aware of the
strength, the spirit, and the resources of the people of Texas. At
all events, you would oblige me much by letting me know your views,
so that I can have it in my power to reassure those who may feel
fearful about the peace of the Settlers.
You may rest assured, sir, that the families who will compose the
emigrating party to Texas will be just such as you will rejoice to
see—respectable, intelligent, and industrious such as you find always
among the most valuable citizens of our villages in N. York or
Pennsylvania: for they will for the most part be people from the states
who have removed here, and find the winters too rigorous. All our
farmers indeed, appear to be sighing for your genial climate and
rich meadows and soil.
Should you happen to see Doctr N. Labadie, of Anahuac, please
inform him that his mother and connexions are well, and wish very
much to receive a letter from him.
Give my best wishes to Mr Williams and other gentlemen of my
acquaintance and beleive me, sir,
Col S. F. Austin
Jno P Sheldon [Rubric]