Mexico Dec. 2. 1834 (in prison)

To Thos. F. McKinney,

Dr Sir, Don Ramos Arispe and D. Victor Blanco visited me this day, and informed me that the difficulties between Monclova and Saltillo had been terminated by the decission of the President Genl. Santana to whom the subject was referred by the treaty between the contending parties. By this decision of the President the seat of Government of the State is to remain at Monclova in conformity with the law fixing it there. The acting Govr. Algue Sabal [Elguezabal] is to continue until a Govr is elected by the people of the State. A new election is to be ordered for the whole state for Govr vice Govr Councillers, members of the legislature and of congress.

I am informed that the President considered this last clause to be necessary for a final and amicable termination of this entangled business, by refering it directly to the source and origin of power, the people so as to give a voice to the department of Saltillo which it had not in the September election.

The object of the President is to terminate all the local disputes and give to every part of the State an unembarased voice in the election of all the public functionaries. This is certainly a most important and desirable object, and the means which have been adopted to attain it are probably the best if not the only ones that the confused State of the circumstances will admit.

Under this view I recommend that the people of Texas unanimously sustain the decission of the President and proceed without any hesitation or doubt to hold new elections in conformity with the orders that are to be circulated by the Govr of the State in conformity with said decission. It will be an honourable evidence of the disposition of those people to promote harmony and union with the other parts of the state.

I have no doubt that the persons who were elected in September last will cheerfully acquiesce in this measure, and I for one of them frankly say that I do so.

It is to be hoped that at the election care will be taken in each of the departments in Texas to select as deputies to the legislature men personally known to the people, familiar with their necessities, and closely identified with them in property, interest, and actual residence. There is little doubt that representatives so circumstanced would be more likely to serve the interests of their constituents than wiser men who do not reside among them. Texas now has three members, but if persons are chosen who do not reside there, it would seem as tho nothing had been gained by the augmentation of representatives.

In the selection of the other public functionaries the good sence of the people will of course lead them to choose men of strict probity impartiality and established character and principles who will attend impartially and honestly to the genl prosperity of every part of the state.

I expect that my affairs will terminate so as to enable me to reach Monclova in February.

I wish you to show this letter to my friends and make such use of it as you think best for the attainment of the object which is harmony and union between all parts of the State and union in sustaining the measures of the President as to the new elections

S. F. Austin [Rubric]

All is going well. The President Genl Santana has solemnly and officially declared that he will sustain the federal republican system as established by the constitution of 1824 and all parties will unite to support him in this measure. Last year there was no local Govt in Texas. Now there is and your evils are remidied. So that all ought now to unite in promoting union and harmony with Coahuila and all parts of the State. These are the opinions of your fellow citizen

S. F. Austin [Rubric]