Mexico March 4 1835

Dr Brother,

I expected to have been on my way home before this, but my affairs are not yet concluded so that I can leave I hope however that I shall not be detained longer than all this month.

The affairs of Texas are in a much better train for that country to become a state, than they ever have been. The subject was before the House of Representatives last week, and information was called for by the house from the executive which will be given in a few days, and is very favourable for Texas. The people there must not expect a state immediately, but the matter will be put in a train to make it a state within a reasonable and even short time— There will be an exemption of duties on cotton bagging iron steel and some other articles I have also recommended that a premium be given on Texas cotton shipped to Tampico and Vera Cruz also that 2 companies of mounted riflemen be raised in Texas to be stationed high up on the Colorado and Brazos, for the purpose of defense and of opening the road to Chihuahua—also new mail routes—one from Goliad by LaBaca, Matagorda, Brazoria to San Felipe, and thence to Harrisburg Liberty and Nacogdoches, and several other things of interest to Texas, all of which are now under consideration by the Govt.

Col Almonte is the true and active friend of Texas in all these matters— The present minister of relations, Gutierrez Estrada, is a very enlightened and good man— As to myself, I have more friends here than I ever had before, and so has Texas

Almonte has in the press a statistical notice of Texas, it will be out in a few days. I have not seen it or any part of it, but he says it gives a favourable view of that country and its inhabitants—

I hope that my friend Grayson will be with you by the time you get this— I can never sufficiently express my thankfulness to him and Jack— They are truly sterling men Tell Grayson that Butler told a man the other day, that the letters which he, Butler, wrote to Texas in my favor was what induced the people there to interest themselves for me so far as to send on Grayson and Jack— Butler, I suppose made this statement to try and injure me with the person he was talking to, for I do not visit nor even speak to him, and he wishes no doubt to make it appear that he tryed to serve me, so as to induce others to believe that I am ungratefull—so far from trying to serve me, I have reason to believe that he and Mason and Mexia, would have kept me in a dungeon for years if they could and all because I obeyed the instructions of my constituents in opposing a territory for Texas—

There has been a "fuss" at Vera Cruz—the soldiers in the castle mutinied and tied their officers etc. etc. have still possession of the castle— some think it is the beginning of another revolution, but I do not believe it is anything more than a mutiny of the Garrison, and that it will have no political result whatever— The country is perfectly tranquil in all parts, and things are going on well

I think the Chihuahua road very important and have no doubt the people of Texas will all unite to open it— I think the Genl and state Govts- will aid and so will the state of Chihuahua, I have spoken to all the influential men here from that state about it, and they have written home in favor of the project— If the rifle companies are raised they will open the way in a few months and the Govt at present are in favor of recommending to congress that they should be raised— Calm, a dead calm, and close attention to farming, and no excitements nor party divisions, are all that Texas needs at present—

Love to Sister and all the children— I hope to see you all some time, but really I have ceased making calculations when it will be We have had some extra amusements here lately—the ascension of Robertson in a balloon a Grand Ball given by a select party of gentlemen with the British minister at their head. I was at it—there was quite a display— also some masquerades new operas etc.— But these things cannot divert my thoughts from Texas, and home, and I will try before I leave to have things put in a favourable train for that country to be a state before long—

S. [F. Austin]