Stephen F. Austin to Jose Antonio Saucedo, 06-20-1824
Summary: Asks for a priest, or for authority to perform civil marriages.
As there are several persons who wish to be married, and several children to be baptized, I request you to be pleased to send the Padre, Refugio de la Garza, for this purpose, to avoid the bad consequences that result from delay in such cases. If the Padre can not come, let him give me the necessary authority to perform a kind of provisional marriage until he arrives; otherwise serious evils may result.
God and Liberty.