Lowell, Mass, May 18th 1836

Dear Sir,

An early acquaintance with the West Coast of Mexico and various excursions from the Pacific to the interior, having visited the City of Mexico in 1822, and Made Some observations as to the assailible points on that Sea Board, and the Sections of Country through which I extended my excursions, has since the Texian War commenced, been brought to my recollection, and aroused by the horrible cruelties perpetrated by the forces of Santa Anna I have reviewed the scenes of by gon days, in that Country and have formed an opinion, that a diversion highly, favorable to the Cause of Texas might be made by a small Naval force employed on the West Coast of Mexico. Where a single ship of 20 guns under a judicious commander might create consternation and dismay without infringing the Laws of maritime War fare or encroaching the limits prescribed to it by the Laws of Nations. Much would depend however on the duration of the contest in as much as it would require Six to Eight months to give effect to Such an enterprise and render it subservient. I know not what may be the views of the Texian Government, in regard to Naval operations, but cannot entertain a doubt that could it avail itself of the Services of a Small force to be there employed that highly favorable results would follow.

In this section of the U.S. the origin and progress of the Texian revolution ar not well understood, and this people as you doubtless may be aware, are not so easily excited to action, as those of More Sunny regions but when they shall be better informed, and feel assured, that half the barbarities have been exercised by the Mexican forces, that have been announced in newspapers of the day, When they shall know that Texas contended for her rights as an Independent State of the Mexican Confederacy, rights guaranteed by the Constitution of 1824, that failing to secure those rights and seeing a consolidated military despotism pervading the country, with Catholic intolerance of religious Worship, She availed herself of the sacred prerogative of freemen and declared herself independent and assumed the consequences, they will perceive that there is a striking affinity in the attitude of Texas and the American Colonies at the Commencement of the War of Independence, and yeald their sympathy their services afloat or in the field, or their wealth in support of so righteous a cause Constrained by circumstances which preclude at present the devotion of my services, in her cause, I nevertheless would break the ties that may be severed without dishonor, and offer myself a sacrifice for such a struggle, if it shall prove necessary to the attainment of the independence or the union of Texas with the American Union, feeble as those services Might be, tho' not entirely useless. So far as some experience in Maratime war is concerned, yet united with thousands of kindred spirits the effect of combination would ensure success. In this way I presume it would be practicable to procure officers and man a Ship or vessels suited to the enterprise before mentioned, there would be some difficulty in providing an armament, or rather in Embarking it in the vessels in which to employ it, but not insurmountable diffculties. Would the commander of such a force if offered as a loan to Texas, with the officers he might recommend be commissioned so as to give them suitable rank in the Naval Review? their emoluments to depend on their captures, and the usual bounty in Land but to be placed under such restraint as to avert the consequences of any contravention of the Laws of Nations?— I feel that; I may be subject to the imputation of obtruding, myself on your attention but I am anxious that the history of the events in Texas, should be better understood in the New England States, and know that when the subject of religious liberty, and rational freedom are agitated and contended for and by a people claiming consanguinity and evincing the most laudable heroism, the citizens of this Wide spread republiccan Empire, will fly to the rescue. It is obvious that entire secrecy would be indispensible to the success of the enterprise under consideration. I therefore need not enforce it. When in the City of Mexico in 1822, I had the pleasure of an acquaintance with General Long and the officers of his staff. Among the latter was Captain Austin of the infantry, Whose subsequent history it would afford me pleasure to learn and especially if successful— The unfortunate Genl. Long; Was assassinated at that time and being among those who assisted at his interment, and having since heard that his Widow received from the Mexican government a Grant of Land in Texas, I would venture to enquire whether her fate is Apparently John Austin, who died of cholera in Texas in 1833. known to You— I have in my possession a relick of her heroic husband which it would give me pleasure to transmit to her—

William Austin

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