William W Morris to Stephen F Austin, 07-21-1830


Summary: His son Lewis wishes to settle in Texas and wants to buy at least 10,000 acres.


New York July 21st—1830

Sir

In the year 1829 towards the latter end I wrote a Pamphlet on the subject of Texas, shewing the propriety and the necessity of annexing that Province to the United States, a copy of which I forwarded to you by Captain Thompson late of the Mexican Navy, which I hope came safely to hand—- Never having had the opportunity of travelling in that country, I wrote from data collected from a variety of persons strangers, and acquaintances, who had visited the Province of Texas, and more particularly your Colony. It is not improbable that [in] a hasty publication embracing points of general policy some of the Ideas thrown on paper and statements with regard to it were incorrect: In speaking of the characters and descriptions of persons who have located and settled themselves within the Province of Texas, if my information had been as minute as subsequent opportunities had afforded means of Judging, I should have made a marked discrimination in favor of those people who have located and settled themselves in St Philipe De Austin— Upon further investigation and enquiring into the plan of your settlement on the Rio Brassos, I was much gratified to learn, that you had wisely taken a stand in favor of moral rectitude, deeming those the best settlers who had the highest pretensions to character on that score—and that in all instances where persons of suspicious character presented themselves for the facilities and liberal patronage which you extend to settlers, you instituted the most rigid inquiries and scrutiny into their private character. In every instance where it was discovered the applicant had taken refuge in Texas, to escape the Just punishment of crime committed within the United States whose laws he had violated. That such persons have never met your countenance, and have been prohibited a domicile in the boundaries your Territories circumscribe. Being very lately impressed with this Idea connected with the favorable light with which I look upon the Country, its capacities to give to enterprize new and reiterated energies, by offering to the early settler, a reasonable prospect of gain where disease is rare, and the soil exuberant (a location at once commercial and agricultural.) With these strongly impressed considerations I have come to the determination of locating my eldest Son Lewis some where in the province, and altogether more than probable within your grant— To facilitate this enquiry you will please address a letter to me as soon as circumstances will permit, stating your terms to actual Settlers— The price of your first rate Sugar Lands, in relation to all governing circumstances, the proximity of Navigation direct, or as the case may be more remote from Navigation. And as a preliminary of great consequence to me, what term of credit if any is allowed ?

The object of my Son is to take up at least the quantity of Ten thousand Acres, and unless facilities are given to [make] payments he may not be able to bring round his engagements with punctuality. My Son contemplates writing you on the subject whose letter will reach you not long after this. I am informed that a Newspaper is published weekly at St Philipe De Austin if it would be com- patible with your convenience and not impose upon your politeness too much trouble I should be much pleased to receive one or two numbers of so interesting a Journal—

Wm. W. Morris [Rubric]

Colo. Stephen Austin

[Addressed] Col. Stephen Austin St Filepe De Austin Texas Care of the Mexican Consul New Orleans

[Indorsed by Austin:] From the author of the "revolutionary officer??