Columbia, Texas, Novr. 7th 1836

Henry Meigs Esq. New York (Confidential)

My dear Sir

I have not written to you since my return from the U. S. for various reasons— I arrived the 29th [27th] June and went up the country and out to the army on Guadalupe, was taken sick in august, and confined all September and part of Oct., and am now barely able to get about— I have just entered upon the office of secretary of state, a station which I sincerely hope I shall be relieved from by the speedy annexation of this country to the U. S. or by some other final settlement of the affairs of Texas— My constitution and health are worn out, and I wish to nurse what little remnant the sixteen years of exposure and labor in this country has left me—

I am truly happy to inform you that our internal affairs are getting on well— Houston has entered into the office under favorable auspices—all party excitements have already subsided, and public opinion has settled down upon one all absorbing point, which is annexation to the United States without delay— The people, at the late general election have sanctioned this measure by almost an unanimous vote, and I think will not be very tenacious, as to the mode of effecting this object, provided our equitable and just, as well as legal rights, are properly secured. Probably Mexico will not refuse to treat with the U. S. for a quit claim, or a final adjustment of limits, and thus give to Texas what she wants, without compromising her pride or prejudices by treating direct with Texas—or the same results may be attained by means of the mediation of the U. S. which Santa Anna has solicited from Genl. Jackson— Could not Santa Anna be used in this matter? and if he can, why not use him? I am convinced he is satisfied Mexico cannot reconquer Texas, nor retain it, and that it is the interest of Mexico to get rid of this troublesome country as soon as possible and on the best terms she can— I believe he would act on this basis were he in a situation to do so with effect— His political position in Mexico may enable him to do much with proper management. The men now in power I believe are his enemies and have proscribed him—Tornel—Valencia, Bravo, Canalizo, and Bustamante's friends, and some of the other generals, seem to be struggling for power, and are jealous of each other and wish Santa Anna detained here as a prisoner or shot, and would do anything they could to induce the Texans to destroy him, at the same time keeping up appearances and opperating on the subalterns and soldiers by appeals in favor of the captive who is popular with that class— On the other hand the federalists are courting Santa Anna and have attempted to make overtures to him (which have not yet reached him) to use his influence in favor of that party by writing from here to his known and faithful personal friends in Mexico but it is also known that the leaders of that party are opposed to the release of Santa Anna and to his return to Mexico— From this it appears that both parties fear him, and either would receive him as a leader rather than see him join the opposite side, and carry the army or a large portion of it with him, and rekindle the civil war again—Mexico needs peace and a stable order of things, and the nation in mass are clamorous for it and dread another civil war and will be more likely to unite upon Santa Anna, than to split up into factions under a dozen or more local or party leaders

Under these circumstances suppose that Santa Anna should go to Washington city and have an interview with the President of the U. S. come to a definitive conclusion as to the Texas question on the basis of recognition of our independence or on that of annexation to the U. S. (as he is willing to bind himself to do) and should from there go to Vera Cruz, or operate in Mexico as circumstances may require to terminate the Texas war and all other matters He distinctly and positively declares that the basis on which he will act, is to terminate the Texas war, because this country is lost to Mexico and consequently the true interests of the latter requires that the dispute should end without more delay or more sacrifices That the mode of terminating the matter is greatly facilitated by the recent declaration of the people of Texas, of their desire to be annexed to the U. S. in as much as it removes all embarrassments, so far as the people of Texas are concerned to an arrangement between Mexico and the U. S. relative to annexation etc. Santa Anna is useless to Texas so long as he is detained as a prisoner here, and may possibly be of service if permitted to go to Washington— both parties in Mexico would be well satisfied if he were to be shot and either would make hostile demonstrations against Texas, if by so doing his life would be jeopardized— This I believe to be pretty nearly the state of things in regard to this subject—the best interests of Mexico, and of the U. S. as well as of Texas demand a termination of the war and the annexation of Texas to the U. S.— Protracted hostilities will inevitably ruin all the eastern parts of the Mexican states or provinces of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Chihuahua, etc, for this Govt, will be compelled to send her army, which is accumulating, to the other side of the Rio Bravo to keep them employed— The indians will go, of their own accord to plunder- such a war will also place the S. W. frontier of the U. S. in such a situation as regards the Indians that it will be a source of trouble and expense— The opening of the Mexican ports to Spain, is another reason why the U. S. should interpose to stop this war in order to counteract the Spanish influence amongst the people of Mexico against all Americans and American commerce—

The Rio Bravo ought to be the line— If that cannot be obtained it certainly should be a sine qua non to include all the valley of the Nueces river up to its head thence westwardly along the hills or mountains to the rio Puerco or Pecos (I believe it is called by the latter name high up, and by the former lower down, tho some are of opinion that they are two distinct rivers, I believe however from good information that it is all one and the same river) which enters the Bravo some 60 or 80 miles above the old Precidio of Rio Grande situated at the crossing of the upper road from Bexar to Monclova— The line should then run up this river Puerco or Pecos, to its head, including in Texas all its valley on both sides, and thence to the U. S. line at the head of Arkansas River so as to include in Texas, all the valley and waters of the Nueces and Puerco, and all the waters of the Guadalupe, Colorado, Brazos, and all Red River and all the waters of the south side of Arkansas river west of Longitude one hundred (which is the De Onis line) between Red and Arkansas rivers. Or in other words make the ridge of high land the line which divides the waters of the Nueces and Puerco from those of the Bravo, following said ridge or mountain above the head of Puerco to the head of Arkansas— I mention this line, only in the event of there being serious embarrassments to the Bravo as the line, as there may be, on account of dividing the populated parts of Tammaulipas and Coahuila low down, and Chihuahua and New Mexico high up— The other line will take no mexican population except what belongs to Texas, proper, such as, Bexar, Goliad, etc Money should be no object with the U. S. in this matter and it is an object with Mexico. Also the U. S. might stipulate to keep the Comanche Indians quiet, who are dessolating the state or province of Chihuahua— The people of that country would if they could, ask the protection of the U. S. for their own Govt cannot protect them and they are in danger of total annihilation by the Comanches and Apaches A stipulation to keep those Indians quiet would be popular in mexico and in conjunction with money satisfy them for Texas—

Where the interests of all parties demand peace, as is the case with the Texas question, I cannot see why it should be delayed— I am informed from a source on which I rely that Tornel the minister of war of mexico has said that Texas was lost and that the Govt, so viewed it— Pride and remuneration for past losses, are all the stumbling blocks—a treaty with the U. S. Satisfies the first, and a few millions the other—

I recommend this subject to you and hope you will do all you can to procure annexation to the U. S. without delay

Remember me to cousin Julia and all your family

S. F. Austin

A copy M Austin Bryan

P. S. I think no time should be lost in terminating the question of annexation. Public opinion is now in favor of the measure but if it is not done by 4 march next, no calculations can be made as to the consent of Texas, for the reason that new and other views, will of necessity, govern the policy and course of Texas— In short we cannot remain in suspense longer than March, and if the question of annexation is not settled by that time we shall be compelled to go to work on the basis of a separate and independent republic, and if that basis is once adopted by the people of Texas it will never be abandoned— now is the time or never.

S F Austin