Brazoria, Jany 25th 1833

Dear Sir—

Your favr of the 22nd inst. by Maj. Reynolds was handed to me last evening, and I have a convenient opportunity to reply. I must thank you for the hints, that that as well as the one previous, contained; and assure you I have valued your counsel in all instances very highly, and have never disregarded it if it did not correspond fully with my own judgment for I have been able to allow your knowledge and Experience their proper weight in matters where they render you more competent to decide than I could for a moment presume myself—and I have never been made to doubt the correctness of your motives. I must,therefore insist that you let no occasion pass to afford me the benefits of your advice, for if I do not strictly adhere to it, rest assured it will be always a guide. I have a task of much difficulty and great responsibility to perform, and am destitute of aid or counsel but that I receive from you. The politics of the country, as you justly remark, are in rather a tangled condition, and that very circumstance makes my track more difficult to discern; for how to preserve consistency with some settled system oí opinions, when there is not a standard by which those who are actually managing the machinery, are guided, is a source which furnishes matter to Exercise the ingenuity even of an Experienced diplomatist, rather than to Employ the raw and unskilful hand that is literally compelled to wield it alone.

For the sake of appearing united, and by that very means producing union, I have Endeavoured to give to Every measure broached and acted upon in a way that it might have an influence on the main current of our affairs, such a face as would not disgrace us by Exposing our situation, agitated with dissention, and rendered contemptible by division and inconsistency. It has been my leading wish, to Keep up a belief of unanimity on all important points, and to bring as large a volume of the public mind to the support of whatever course the Central Committee should adopt, as it would be possible to do. This idea is very material abroad, and is the only foundation of confidence intertained of the redemption of the country—if smothered or rendered doubtful, the population of the country will be checked, and all its hopes darkened. You say the tone of my paper has been rather anti Mexican, and that I ought to change it. I do not think I have said any thing that should wound them as a people—on the contrary I have when speaking of the liberal party always puffed them. To be sure I have not said much about them, for I know too little to Enable me [to] say any thing in their favour, that would not be inconsistent with our own acts and declarations. As to the mere tone of the paper, it is not so Easy to change without the detection of inconsistency as might be thought. The tone of the paper has been caught from, and formed by the events that have occured, and the circumstances and necessary feelings which surround us—and some occurence or new event must serve as a hinge upon which to turn even the tone of my remarks from the general tenor of our conduct. If communications were introduced not too much varying in substance from the drift of the public feeling, or the expectation, or rather belief of what that is, abroad, invested with such a glossy colouring of true and loyal Mexicanism as to answer the purpose you desire, I could yield better to that, than to no obvious cause, in departing from what has at least appeared to Chime with the united feelings of the people. I dropt you a few hasty remarks a day or two since, in reply to your letter by Bradly which with these, will inform you how I feel disposed on the subject of our politics. Without consistency we have no influence-—Without influence we can do no good.

Grayson has not yet come, but I have reason to expect him every week. Dr. Archer is at the mouth of the river on a health expedition. I hope they "may be of some use to us in the work we have before us, as you suggest.

In relation to the correction of the proof sheets of the Remonstrance, I have to answer that you will either have to come down for that purpose, or leave it to me and Cotton, for Eckle is sick. The translation cannot be well made here, and I shall therefore expect the one you made. Wherefore do you wish it copied? your hand writing is very plain.

When shall I come up on the subject of land ? or will it be necessary at all. I shall send my brother up before the Commissioner leaves—I have two here just from the College walls, and will make useful Citizens of them by learning them to print a little—You must give them a piece of land, for that was the promise upon which they came. On the subject of P Green, he wishes to know, if a petition could not be sent down to him to sign which would answer the purpose without his presence?

DW Anthony.

[Addressed:] Col. S F Austin San Felipe.