Mexico March 10. 1835
Dr. Brother, I fully expected to have been on my way home before this.
I am however still on bail and cannot leave until the amnesty law is
published and when that will be is uncertain. It was sent to the President
yesterday, and it is said that he will send it back to congress to be altered.
If so it may be a month before it finally becomes a law. Inform Grayson
of this—he will be surpised for when he left we both calculated the law
would be published in a few days. This is a measure in which many
thousands are deeply interested and one that the Govt and three fourths
or more of both houses and all the influential men are anxious should
pass, and yet it has to travel the usual snails pace of public matters. This
example ought, of itself, to be a proof to some of those who are so ready
to blame me at home, of the delay and difficulty of effecting anything here.
They know but little of these matters and of the mental torment I have
suffered, to get anything done for Texas At this time the feeling in favor
of Texas is much better and more favourable than it ever has been, and
I believe that if the attention of Govt and of congress was not distracted
by the disjointed state of the times, something material would be done for
Texas, however it is really not so very important whether anything is done
or not if a deal calm and union can be preserved in that country,
migration—good crops—no party divisions—no excitements—no personalities
should be the political creed of every one in Texas.
The Chihuahua road should be opened by some means and must be,
I think the Genl Govt will aid—the state of Chihuahua will aid I have
heard from there on the subject In this matter, and probably in others
Chihuahua and Texas will have the same interest.
The political character of this country, seems to partake of its geological
features—all is volcanic If there is sound judgment and common sense
in Texas, the convulsions here will not affect that country The prosperity
of Texas should flow onward like the silent current of a river—nothing
from this quarter can, or will, impede its progress. This has always been
my view of the subject, and hence it is that I have uniformly adopted
(when left to my own judgment, or not contrould by circumstances) a
silent, and conciliatory course. That policy has settled Texas, and if
pursued a few years longer will secure its happiness and prosperity.
Spain I presume will acknowledge the independence of Mexico very
soon— the island of Cuba will then be open to us— it is the best market
for beef cattle, oxen, hogs, horses, mules, corn, lard beans, peas etc in
the world. I am trying to get a premium on Texas cotton shipped to Vera
Cruz and Tampico—an exemption from duties and many other things in
favor of Texas. The state question was taken up in the house of
representatives a short time since and information called for from the
executive—it is now before the cabinet, and gaining friends dayly. My
opposition has had a most salutary influence, and placed Texas on high ground.
The project of a territory is now totally dead, so much so that its advocates
are now in favor, of a state. Even Bradburn is now an active and warm
advocate in favor of a state. There has been a great change since Grayson
left in favor of Texas. Don Lucas Alaman, and Gutierrez Estrada the
present minister of relations, are two of the best friends Texas has in
Mexico. They are educated honest and honorable men, and as a matter
of course have many enemies. Almonte is another friend of Texas, and
an active one. He is printing an account of that country. He says it is
favourable. I have not seen it, nor any part of it.
There is a "fuss" at Vera Cruz—the garrison of the castle mutinied tied
their officers, and are bombarding the city. All the rest of the country is.
quiet. To say how long it will remain so would be the same as to say
when Vesuvius will or will not explode—all this is of no consequence
to Texas, if the people there will keep down party divisions and
personalities and make good crops. I wish that all the unquiet spirits in Texas
would organize themselves into a corps and explore a good route for a
wagon road to Chihuahua—in that way they can be usefull to Texas—
much more so, than they, or any body else are aware of at present.
The Chihuahua road is a great object for Texas, a vast link in its
prosperity, and no efforts should be left untried to open it as quick as possible—
its influence will be known after it is opened, and not before.
I recd a letter from you not long since—the bad health of Emily afflicts
me dreadfully—we have as yet recd nothing from Texas but trouble and
suffering, but I still hope that some better times are in store for us—as ta
my personal enemies I disregard them— I am laboring for their good, as.
much as for my own—honest men will say whether they repay me as I
deserve, and to honest men I leave the matter, with a clear conscience.
Tell Emily to keep up good spirits and laugh at all the slang of my
enemies. They are only injuring themselves.
Love to all the children—keep up the school and give them a good education. I hope you have not neglected to put a family on the league west
of the Bernard—attend to this for if you have neglected it it may cost
you very dear, also on all your other land—do not neglect this as others
have done—comply rigidly with the law in every particular—as to
settlement and payments.
I am in tolerable health and very good spirits—tho much older in both
respects than when I left home two years ago.
Remember me to your neighbors and to Grayson and Jack and Bell and
McKinney in particular. Tell McKinney that I shall have to draw for a
thousand dollars on Gregory on the letter of credit that Grayson brought
me. This trip will cost me about $10,000 dead loss besides my
imprisonment, and after all to be abused and calumniated by some of those I have
been laboring to serve is not quite as agreeable as it might be—but such
is man and human nature.
Farewell may heaven bless you and prosper Texas
S. F. Austin
I send this by New Orleans. I wrote you on the 5 and Burnett on
the 7 by mail.