New Orleans 21 October 1835

My Dear Sir—

I have lately written you two letters merely informing you of what has been passing here, in regard to Texas since you left this city— The news of your long (by me) expected war movement reached this city on the 12th Inst and I immy called a public meeting of our citizens at the Bank Arcade for the Evening of the 13th you may judge of the prepared [profound] excitement of the Public Mind, when I assure you the meeting was the largest ever known in New Orleans—and by acclamation we passed the resolutions you will find inclosed— So great was the crowd that the large Room would not hold them and we had to retire to another— we yesterday sent off two divisions of about 60 men each, one by way of the River to Nagatodges-the other by the Sc Columbus to Brassoria, well armed and equipped with cannon, guns, powder, Balls, Lead—Saddles Bridles etc. etc. and in a few days we will dispatch the Sc. Louisiana with a third Division—those gone, are all fine looking young men—genteel in appearance, and I have no doubt will do honor to themselves—many of them have left respectable situations of $1200 to $1500 a year in Counting houses here—besides—The Creoles of the Lower Fauburg not to be outdone by us, have I am trully informed raised a corps of 150 men at their expense—who will depart immy— Thus you see my Dear Sir—your cause must and will succeed, because all feel you are in the Right— There are men engaged in your cause here, who by their power, wealth and influence can do almost anything— The excitement is still at its height— hundreds of applications are daily making to join the Rank— but we allow only those we choose to muster in them.—

This movement of ours here will be followed by similar ones thru' the whole valley of the Mississippi—Natches is up already—from N. York Bostn and Philada- also means will come to us—and the only fears I entertain are—in the first place that more will be received than required—. and that from the upper Country a population may be entered among you, that will be of little use afterwards—however the Crisis is alarming and for the sake of health we must take the Bitter with the Sweet—

It is with feelings of indescribable emotion, that all here, wait with intense anxiety for news from your Quarter— What have the division that went after Coss done? Where is Col. Austin? Have they declared a provisional Govt adhering to the Constitution of 1824???— Upon this last act— "hangs all the Law and the Prophets" Coss must be checked— The state of Zacatecas and more than one half the people of the Mexican Republic—only await one conquering cry to flash out, to rally with redoubled energy—then the Fate of the Tyrant is inevitable—and your country I hope, placed upon a different and more permanent basis of True Liberty than it has ever yet enjoyed—then how Glorious for Texas—what a spectacle for the world to behold—

as for myself my dear sir—I have the same opinions now I expressed to you here—a thousand times a day I am asked are you going?— When do you go?— my answer is this I await further intelligence from Texas— I wait to hear of the formation of a Provl. Govt-—and if that body require me—I am in a moment ready—mean time I can do some good to the great cause here—but sir if that Govt. should appoint me, I will instantly obey the call—

above all things, keep the Committee here (whose names are inclosed) in constant information of all your movements, even by express if necessary—I will keep you constantly informd by every oppy- of what is going on in this Quarter— do you the same by us relative to yours—in a moment. like this— I have but little time to write, the Divisions sail as soon as this letter is closed—therefore no more—but—Victory and Liberty for Ever

Jas Ramage [Rubric]

Col. Stephen Austin Texas

N. B. I had forgot to mention You will see in the inclosed paper that Genl. Mehia, a man named Fisher and others were at the meeting— we have our doubts— These expeditions are solely, purely, simply American in all their parts—