James Kerr to Gail Borden, Jr, 06-03-1835


Summary: Subscribing to the Telegraph. Opposition to land speculations at Monclova. Death of DeWitt.


Lavaca 3rd June 1835

Mr Gail Borden Jur-

Dear Sir. I have seen a prospectus for a paper "Telagraph" —dear sr you will please put my name to it as a subscriber to be sent by mail and on Receipt of first copy—I will send you $5.00

I have requested Major Southerland to give you $5-00—as you requested fore repair of compass—etc. I and my family are in common hea[l]th, Mary is and has been at School for some time—and has no little praise from hir teacher and Schoolmates— I believe She Learns—prety well— She—sends hir Respects to you and Mrs-Bordin

Mr. B. Durbin goes to Sanfelepe to pay the fees—on a quarter League No-3—above Smithes on Navidad— I—have directed him to you for informatition, and to pay the whole amount of the States fees—to you if you will recieve them—. from the deed I make out that the first payment will not be due till 6th December Next—but I want Mr. Durbin to pay all the state fees—now.

please write me all the news—say what you know about Austin, Williams, etc. etc. And what is going on in the Interior.

We have news here that Colo Austin is at Liberty, and will probably be in Monclova on the 20th- this Mo.— That Genl Santana has taken Zacatecas. 700—Killd- and he took 2700 prisoners—then turned on his heel and went toward to the South—to put down Genl Albares and Libertey in that Section. We understand that Genl. Cos—has sent a copy of a proclamation to all the Ayuntementos in texas—in which he says "there is certain designing foreigners in Monclova exciting and creating rebellion and Insulting the Sovreign Nation" etc. etc.

The Sale of 650 Leagues of Land by the State has caused much excitement in these Settlements—so far as I have heard the people are not willing to stand the pull If there was any way to help it—. What do you believe Santana's Intentions are? I have Just received a new Land Law, dated 2d may—(past)—It provides for all who are Now in texas and who have not got any to recieve land acording to the Law of 24-march 1825—, by way of a commissioner Genl one for Each department of Texas Shall be appointed, and those who come to the country Since—May 1832— shall pay to the State 60-$ on a sitio of pasture, and five Dollars on each Labore of Arable Land. I Leave home to day on a surveying tour in deleon's Colony, and shall be gone- 4—or 5 week—. There has been a great many more applications for Land in that Colony than the contract calld for—his time was out 29th of April—but he has time granted to have the Surveys, an titles made—

There has been more than 50—applicants since the contract was filld who of course could not be recieved

Colo Dewitt Died some time ago in Monclova.

James Kerr