[From Williams Papers, Rosenberg Library, Galveston, Tex.]

Saltillo 12 April 1832

Dr Sir

I wrote you on the 9th, since then Col Butler arrived here and proceeds to San Felipe to settle his private business with Whitesides and others.

I have nothing particular to add to my letter of the 9th. Peace and harmony in Texas, and especially in the Colony is all important, and I hope no event will transpire to interrupt the individual or public tranquility of the inhabitants. Nothing more is known of the State of things in mexico than what I communicated in my last— you will see by the Registro, that Texas is reported to be in a revolutionary situation. I have contradicted this false report in a letter to Mr. Alaman, and everything will end well and prosperously if prudence and moderation are used by the colonists, but they must be prudent and quiet.

I wish you would make out the items of my account with Butler and calculate the interest, one of my notes to him is paid—take that up and arrange what has been paid on the others as you and him may think right.

[John T.] Mason I presume will go to the Colony and in that event I shall return home in May, for he is authorised to settle the Hawkins business—my anxiety to have that matter finally closed will probably take me home instead of going to Mexico. If any money can be had to make a payment to Butler, or if you can make any contract with him to finish the improvements on his house I wish you would do so—at least so far as to take up the note that was due in Jany last. I am anxious to have that dept [sic] paid, so as to avoid the accumulation of interest.

The consulta relative to the families who came in between April and June is favorably dispatched and will go by next mail to Arciniega so that you can now push all the business and bring it to a speedy close.

Remember my reserve on the Colorado above the road, and above Tannihill I do not wish that interfered with by any means. The land is poor, but I think the situation will be healthy which is my object in wishing to fix a residence there at some time when I can, so as to have a retreat from the fevers, mosquitoes and insects of the low country near the coast.

Keep peace and quietness in the colony at all hazards. The settlers ought to have full confidence in me. I say that they must bear a great deal from military oppresion and still remain quiet and patient. I refer you and the Ayto particularly to my letter of the 9th instant and to the advice it contains on this subject.

As regards the captains of vessells who behave imprudently, as the captain of the Boston packet did, I hope the colonists will unanimously set their faces against them and against such conduct. I expect that some schooners will have to be sunk, before they will come to their senses, but that is their affair— if they are in the wrong I will not protect or countenance them and I hope none of the colonists will— if they are wrongfully sunk, or ill treated let them appeal to their own govt for redress and not to the colonists who have nothing to do with the matter.

Prudence and a dead calm in the Colony will insure a favorable answer to the memorial—imprudence and rashness, even if just cause is given, will totally defeat everything and ruin all.

My standing motto—" Fidelity to Mexico "—ought to be in every man's mouth and repeated, instead of many other things that are said, over cups and in moments of heat— it is a good toast and ought to be used as a standing toast in the grog shops— try and have it so.

Remember me kindly to all

S. F. Austin [Rubric]

S. M. Williams

I sent my motto in Decr last to John Austin to be generally spread amongst them at Brazoria, but I never heard of his having mentioned it to any one— ask him if he did.

S. F. A.