Town of Austin

21st March 1831

Dr. Sir,

I received and have read with pleasure yours of the 22nd. Jany and 5 Feby last, and do sincerely wish you may succeed in the Circuit Court and jury system.

Owing to the severity of the weather and the distance that the most of the members resides from this place we have not been able to convene in session but twice, at the first nothing of importance was done and at the second but little finished, in anticipation, however of what will in all probability be done at our next meeting which will take place on the 2nd. of next month, I write you as follows which is the most important so that you may have some time to think and reflect in the best course to be pursued in relation to them.

The first is a memorial to the government praying for authority to rase a company of rangers and to make an appropration for the payment of said rangers which will be forwarded to the Chief of Department by this mail.

Second a committee was appointed to draft a plan for rasing a fund to defray the expenses of the municipality, to pay the debts due by the same: and also for the building of a jail, and a house sufficient for transacting the business of the Ayuntamiento and office of the Alcalda, and also to form and report a plan of the said buildings, and make an estimate of the probable cost of erecting and completing them, which will be reported and acted upon at the next meeting and forwarded to the Chief of Department. I deem it unnecessary to say anything on this subject, convinced as I am that you know the necessity importance and worth of said buildings, and also of some established mode for rasing funds.

At our first meeting in consequence of the frequent outrages committed by hostile Indians on the frontiers of the Municipality, We called on the Lieut Colonel of this Battalion to rase a company of men by draft or otherwise to serve as rangers, which he readily complied with by issuing an order to the lst. Adjutant, who on his part as readily issued corresponding orders to the commanding officers of Companies, who as on former occasions did not obey the order for on the day they were to have rendevoused at this place instead of the required number only ten men reported themselves to the Adjutant, nine of whom were from the 5th Company. Such is the situation of the militia and I fear the diposition of the Commanding officer, that all and every call will be attended to in a like manner, be the necessity what it may, I mention this to show you that the Militia cannot be relied on, and consequently the double necessity for obtaining an appropration for rasing a company by enlistment for some specific time and price. However until this is done or the contrary appears, I am determined to remind the commanding officer of the Battalion of what he ought to have done in the first case, by orders and fines if any can be imposed under such circumstances, until he acts as an officer should do.

On the subject of the administration of justice, as respects myself I can say but little and probably ought not to say any thing but believing as I do that whatever concerns the Colony in any wise is a matter of interest to you, I feel it a duty to give such information as the shortness of time that I have acted in the capacity of an officer will allow. As yet if I have not given satisfaction the people have had courtesy enough not to complain, except the friends of Ingram and League, to whom are united a part of the friends of H. S. Brown, as to the number and respectability I say not. In this case as all others my acts and conduct as an officer are publick, therefore I have the people to judge and time to prove the propriety of both, and whether correct or not I have the consolation of knowing that I have done what I believed to be my duty as an officer.

I enclose you a copy of a letter directed to the Assessor General on the subject of Interest and Usury, which if consistent with your views on the subject, I must beg you will mention to the Assessor and so far as prudence will permit give to it your strength and influence.

I take this opportunity of acknowledging the obligation of gratitude I feel on account of the interest you have taken in my behalf, and your advice will be received with due deference.

A word more on the subject of father Muldoon and I have done. From the character of that gentleman he is anxiously wished and looked for—Messrs. Lesassier, Williams and Williamson are a committee to wait on him on his arrival in this place.

I hope you will keep us informed how you get on in the legislature and excuse me for not writing you sooner.

F. W. Johnson [Rubric]

Col. S. F. Austin