Mexican Consulate

New Orleans May 24, 1830

Col Stephen F. Austin

Dear Sir You have herewith a letter from Mr Sutherland of Alabama on the subject of land selected for him by his brother in your Colony, I have long Known these Gentlemen as merchants, and from their General Character as men and merchants, together with the Capital they would introduce into Texas I should think it would be good policy to Extend the time as asked for in his letter unless it be entirely contrary to your Colonization Laws and beyond your powers to grant—

Such men as the Mess Sutherlands Settling in a new Country is well calculated to give character to the Country, and draw after them other Settlers of equal wealth and respectability, I am well aware of the difficulty of a merchants winding up his business in a Country like Alabama and have no doubt that Mr. Sutherland has given himself as short a time to effect the object as he can do it in.

In order to more effectually prove to you his determination to locate in Texas Mr. S. will this fall build a House on the land designated, and next Spring put into Cultivation a part of the Land

Jas W Breedlove [Rubric]