San Felepe de Austin 16 Feb. 1829
Dr Sir:
I had the pleasure of seeing Capt. A. Thompson of the navy during
his visit to the coast of Texas last fall, and in a conversation with
him I learned that you had it in contemplation to procure a grant
from Government on the Guazacualco river with the view of
establishing a number of families, and the Cap. suggested the possibility
of your giving a preference to Texas when fully apprised of its
advantages in point of soil, locality, and temperature. Never
having seen any part of the Guazacualco country I cannot pretend to a
correct opinion as to its relative advantages or disadvantages when
compared with Texas, and can only say that the discription I have
recd of it from several intelligent men who professed to have
explored it has left an impression on my mind that, as a country, Texas
is greatly its superior. It is true that our climate will not admit
of the culture of coffee or cacao, and other tropical productions but
we can boast of the quality and abundance of our cotton crops and
sugar and all the other productions of Louisiana and Mississippi
succeed very well. The pasturage, or "range" as we term it, is
certainly superior to any thing I have ever seen in any country, and
the facilities for raising Cattle horses, mules, sheep and hogs, etc.
almost exceeds credibility. The general appearance of this country
is pleasing and in many places beautifull, being diversified with
extensive broad Prairies clothed with the most luxurient growth of
grass and groves of timber, rivers creeks streamlets and elevated
undulating tracts. The latter, in general commence from thirty to
fifty miles from the coast and extend far into the interior before
the country becomes hilly The facilities of interior navigation
are considerable and susceptible of extensive improvements, and no
country is better adapted for the cheap construction of good roads,
our harbors will not admit vessels of the largest class, but are
sufficiently deep for brigs and the smaller class of merchant ships and
are very safe and secure from gales The climate of Texas I deem
to be decidedly superior in point of health and salubrity to any
portion of north America in the same parallel The margins of our
rivers in common with all the rivers of the world are somewhat
subject to fever and agues and other complaints incident to similar
situations but I think that the practical experience of seven years
justifies me in saying that the rivers of Texas are less liable to
diseases than any river of the U. S. below latitude 36. Situations back
from the rivers, or near the Coast are remarkably healthy—
The munificent and liberal policy of the Govt towards emigrants
has drawn many very worthy and valuable settlers from the United
States of the north and they bring with them the enterprise,
perseverance and industry which forms so prominent a trait in the
national character of our native country. When I Commenced
this settlement in 1821. Texas was an uninhabited desert. This
colony at the present has about 3000 inhabitants and settlements are
extending in other sections. The great interprise and industry
of the north American emigrants must and will make this a rich
and valuable country. We shall next year be able to export a
considerable amt. of cotton and it is considered by many that if the
" Tariff System " is continued by the Govt of the U. S. a
discrimination will be made by G. Britain in the article of cotton which will
give to that of other countries a decided advantage in the English
market over the United States—be this as it may the planters of
Texas can compete with those of the U. S. for the means of
subsistence here can be raised cheaper and no capital of consequence will
be required, at least for several years, to procure land. And besides
this labor here will produce more than in any part of the U. S.
within my knowledge, not even excepting the Red River country,
owing to the superior fertility of our soil.
Should the suggestion made by Cap Thompson, that you might
possibly prefer this country to Guazacualco be correct, and you
should wish for information as to any particular sections I will take
great pleasure in affording it so far as may be within my power.
I believe that the country embraced within the following limits has
not been granted to any Empresario, that is, begining at the Mouth
of the San Jacinto River and folowing up it ten leagues (which is
the extent of the reserve made by the law of 18 August 1824 of lands
bordering on the coast thence Eastwardly following the said reseive
line to the 20 league reserve, thence northwardly following this last
line to the main road leading from Nacogdoches to Nachitoches,
thence Eastwardly along that road to the Sabine, and down the
Sabine to its Mouth and along the coast to the mouth of San
Jacinto— The 20 league reserve line spoken of is also agreable
to the Genl colonization law of 18 Aug. 1824 which reserves ten
leagues on the coast and 20 leagues on the boundary line of the U. S.
The above tract is about 120 miles north and south and 60 east
and west and will admit of good settlements. The Naches and
Trinity rivers run through it both navigable and they both afford
good pine cypress and cedar oak and ash timber in abundance and
numerous situations on creeks for Mills. The proximity of this
tract to the U. S. would cause it to settle rapidly— The Naches
discharges into Sabine Lake which may be connected with an
eastern arm of Galveston Bay by a cut of not more than two or three
Miles through low prairie as I am told.
I expect that a cousin of mine Mr John Austin will visit vera
Cruz shortly with the Schooner Eclipse for the purpose of procuring
a Mexican register in proper form. A provisional pasport has
been issued for her by the Comt Genl Bustamte which I am informed
is sufficient to carying the cargo from here she is owned entirely
by Mexican citizens We shall be able next year to supply a
considerable amt. of Beef Pork, lard, Bacon and peas and Butter and
Sweet Potatoes should those articles be wanting for naval supplies,
they perhaps may be had on better terms from here than from any
other quarter of the Mexican territory—¦
With the most sincere desires for your health and happiness I
have the honor to remain your Most Obt. Sert.
[Indorsed:] Letter to Commodore Porter