Schenectada May 14, 1836
My Dear Sir,
We had a very respectable meeting at Albany on Thursday evening, and
I held forth to them (if I may judge by their plaudits) with much
acceptance— They adopted a string of resolutions, and among others, to
appoint a Committee of 5 from each ward in the City to solicit aid, to
circulate a memorial, and to correspond with every county in the State. There
was a very powerful counter current there, and I do not know what to
ascribe it to unless it be Van Buren Politicks. I have never before
believed in the stories about the Regency but I am now satisfied of the truth
of the collar business. I have been for years engaged in the Politicks of
New York, and well know that political movements were and must of course
be controlled and party must be disciplined to rank and file, but I never
would believe that the feelings, the sympathies, the most holy affections of
men were to be controlled by a political party. I can ascribe it to nothing
else, unless there may have been a reaction, on account of Urrea's return
of the safety of Fanning and his men, which I presume was made before
their Massacre— [Illegible name] has published a letter from a member
of Congress about the gullability of our Countrymen, and instances the
case of Texas, and particularly of Fanning— I hope the facts of that case
will be now elicited, and if the massacre is found to be true, the reaction
of those who have been deceived by this course of the Mexican General and
Minister, will be tremendous—
If I had a power to appropriate any of the funds I receive towards
fitting out emigrants (ie) authorize me to draw on the Agent at New
Orleans, for the monies remitted, at the same time charging the emigrant say
$20. for his passage and outfit, I could send out a 1000 [to] 2000 within
40 days. I would publish a circular establishing a rendevous at a certain
time and place, say Pittsburg applications to be made by 18th June—
expedition to sail the 20th price of passage including equipment $15, in
advance—the emigrant to have a draft on the Govt, for that amount on his
arrival in Texas, provided he enters the army there for 6 mos. One
Thousand men would give $15000, The charter and expenses of two steam
Boats to Natchitoches would be say $3,000, 1000 muskets and equipments
say $7,000. 10 baggage waggons, 4 horses each $250, each is $2500.
ammunition and provisions $2000. Any one thus going out, and not entering
the service forfeits his passage money, and the arms, ammunition,
equipments, wagons horses etc belong to the Govt, on the arrival of the emigrants
into Texas. Many neighbourhoods, would raise companies and pay their
passage, if the arrangements could be made for their going out in this
manner, without requiring a return of the money, and this I presume I
have power to attend to in the powers already given me. I found many of
the pamplets very imperfect, and have received no more than those I took
up myself.
My own private business will require my personal presence in this part
of the country during the Summer but you will hear from me, and I shall
continue my operations for Texas in a manner that will tell as well, and
perhaps better than if I went through to New Orleans. I shall probably go
as far as Pittsburg, certainly to Buffalo, and there are many in the country
ready to go out.
Please inform me who remains at Washington City as the Representative
of the Govt, and if Mr. Childress—mention my name to him, and send me
his address—
I expect the proceedings of our meeting at Albany are in this mornings
papers.
A. J. Yates
[Addressed:] Gen. Stephen F. Austin Commissioner of Texas
Washington City