R C Langdon to Francis Keller, 06-28-1825
Summary: Wants to establish a press and publish a paper in Texas. It would do much to counteract false reports in Ohio and Kentucky.
Dear Sir: As you are about to visit the Colony of Colonel Austin, I shall take it a particular favor if you will make enquiries respecting the prospects of establishing a printing Press in that place. Should Col. Austin be of opinion that a well conducted Journal would aid his views and assist in peopling that interesting section of country I can remove with an entire new establishment, which I lately selected in Cincinnati, and is at present here—The original cost, with paper sufficient for one year, and all expences of transportation from this to Texas, will cost not quite $1000, or at most would not exceed it.
A paper established there at this period would more materially aid the improvement of that country than any thing I know of.—Various and erroneous opinions have gone abroad in Ohio and Kentucky, respecting the soil, climate, products, etc. and if a paper was printed there it would receive a wide circulation in the United States—In Ohio, several families would have moved over but for fear of the truth of what they had heard against the country—I endeavored to do away with those impressions and promised to write to them—they are persons of easy circumstances, and respectable character, you can acquaint Col. Austin with my situation, etc., etc.
Request him to write to me on the subject—
Natches,