San Felipe de Austin 4 March 1829

Copy to W. C. Carr

My dear Sir,

Since my last, which I beleive was in October, I have had a final settlement of accounts with A. Butler and have paid him upwards of two thousand dollars, and arranged the balance in three payments in 1831. 32. and 33.— The interest was all exacted to a cent and in some instances compounded, which has caused the debt to accumulate very much. I still owe considerably over four thousand dollars on it— this has been a cruel affair and has harrassed me very much, more than any event of my life ever did, I hope it is done with— Enclosed I send you an order to the clerk of Jefferson county to enter satisfaction on the judgement against Bryan and My Father which I wish done, provided it cannot in any manner be construed as implicating me, by construction, as having assumed the payment of debts generally due by Bryan and My Father unless where I am individually bound as was the case in this debt—

The prospects of this country are brightening very rapidly and emigrants of the most respectable character are flocking to it.

Perseverance and time have removed the obstacles that impeded the settlement of Texas when I commenced. It was then a total wilderness, destitute of resources, infested by hostile Indians and without an organised Government and the real value of the Country unknown, or very generally doubted. When I look back at the substantial impediments, that were calculated to retard or totally defeat my progress in planting a new settlement in this wilderness, I find abundant cause of surprise that it should have advanced at all. I was of the opinion that perseverance and time would surmount them. The event proves that I was right—A few more years and the prosperity of Texas will astonish many. I am bold to say, that as a Country, taken in the general average, it is unequaled by any portion of North America. You will recollect that I have had some opportunity of forming an opinion on this matter, for I have seen this continent from Connecticut to the City of Mexico, and have generally been a close observer of localities, soil, climate, etc. Apart from the peculiar value of the Mississippi river and the harbors, I deem Texas to be of more intrinsic value as a country, than all the States of Louisiana Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia and the territories of Florida and Arkansas

Our Govt gets on very well, All things considered the federal system was an experiment and a very dangerous one for Mexico because their former habits and ideas as to political subjects, had not prepaired the people for such a System, there must be some collisions for a while, but good will grow out of them; for they tend to elicit discussion and to diffuse knowledge. I may perhaps at some leisure time write you a long and rather speculative letter on the formation, progress and probable future advancement of this new born republic, and notice some variations from their Model the U. S—

This day belongs, most emphatically, to the history of North America, I may indeed say to the history of the civilized world—the 4 of March, the inauguration of the President of a republic whose comercial ramifications have penitrated every inhabitable corner of the Globe, and whose moral influence has cheered every heart that loves freedom, and thrown a gloom around the thrones of despotism.

Jackson goes into office with the advantage of an overwhelming majority, and should his cabinet possess talents and " Management" to retain their popularity he cannot fail to get through hapily and prosperously— I am of opinion that his administration will in the general be very popular, and very advantageous to the nation, for I think that the experiments which have been made of the Tariff Systim has clearly demonstrated the course that ought to be adopted, and I think it will be adopted—Popular opinion will give this administration all the credit, altho they may be governed by lights elicited by others—I have taken no great interest in the election, tho I have no objection to see Jackson President—Your Govt is founded on the popular will—and agreeably to the principles on which it is based, whatever the people will, is right