You have been heretofore informed that Mrs. Hawkins resided
with me from a short period after the decease of her husband to the
time of her death; that her children have been mainly supported by
me; that they are the nephews and niece of Mrs. Hawes, that I have
been appointed by the proper tribunal of this country their guardian;
and that their only prospect or hope of advancement from their
fathers estate is founded on their interest in your grant.
The children are some of them now grown and all of them
approaching maturity, and they feel a strong interest in knowing
what they may expect from your quarter. Standing in the relation
which I do, towards them I feel it to be my duty to enquire of
you as to the position in which they stand, and the rights and interests
which they have in the property under your management. With a
view of procuring full information in relation to the interests of
the heirs of Mr. Hawkins in the grant, I have authorized Mr. Mason
to call on you, and as my agent to request of you to furnish him
with an account of the boundaries of the Grant, the quantity of
land, how much of the grant yourself and the heirs of Mr. Hawkins
are entitled to under your contract of copartnership in the lands;
to inform him whether the portion to which the copartnership are
entitled has been surveyed and set apart from the remainder of the
grant; if so whether there has been a division between yourself and
the heirs of Hawkins, and if not whether you desire such a division.
In the event of a division, what acts on the part of Hawkins heirs
will be necessary to hold their lands according to the laws of your
country etc. etc. and in fine every information touching the subject
which is in your possession. Mr. Mason has undertaken under the
authority I have conferred on him to make a report of the condition
of the grant so far as the heirs of Hawkins are concerned and the
state of the copartnering accounts with you. I presume that
Edmund St. Jn° Hawkins one of the heirs is in the province of Texas.
He is yet a minor, but it is possible he may be of some service to
you, and that he may furnish some aid in the settlement of the lands
which belong to the grantees. I have written you two letters on
this subject since Mrs. Hawkins death, but have recd, no reply.
The original papers of correspondence between yourself and Mrs
Hawkins—relating to this property are in my possession. The
letters to Mrs Hawkins evince on your part much affection towards
the family, and a determined purpose to do them entire justice.
The favourable reports I have heard of you induce me to believe,
that their interests will be safe under your agency. Mr. Masonafter he reaches your country will be able to suggest to you more
fally than I can the precise points of information about the
property, which it may concern the heirs of Hawkins to know.
N. B. I have furnished Mr. Mason with a copy of your contract
with Mr. Hawkins, to which you may refer, in the event that you are
not possessed of a duplicate