Charleston June 28th 1836

Dear Sir—

I had the honor to receive some short time since, your most kind and friendly favor of the 22d May from Washington, which I should more early have answered if I had not expected, in compliance with your advices, to have seen Dr Archer here on his way to Louisiana and by whom I had proposed writing you.—

The profound interest which we of the South feel in the success of your cause has made your favor exceedingly acceptable to me.— I consider your independence as placed beyond all question and I trust that the establishment of social order and an effective system of justice will assure to you the blessings of liberty and self government—

I deeply regretted, when I first heard of the invasion of Santa Ana that my domestic engagements, resulting from a large family, and multiplied occupations of business should have prevented my going, at the head of a Brigade of South Carolinians (who would have been ready I am sure to have followed me) to the rescue, but you have all done more for yourselves than your friends have done for you.—Gen. Houston has left nothing for any one now to do, as his reapers literally went "down to the harvest of death" and have left no gleanings behind them.— You have won the country among yourselves, and are entitled to it.—

In allusion to this subject permit me to advert to the report which has appeared in the New York papers and which was so well calculated to do your cause prejudice, that I at once put the seal of my own disavowal to it—That the Commissioners of Texas were engaged in "a Plot" to supersede Gen: Houston by placing me at the head of the Texian army—As I never received the slightest intimation either from yourself or any one of the Commissioners to this effect, I am sure you are all entitled both pri- vately as well as publicly to the benefit of my contradiction.— If circumstances even permitted me to join your cause, I would certainly not have been guilty of the gross arrogance and absurd folly of making my appearance in a new country in the shape of a Competitor to a successful General who was as well entitled to his command as to his laurels.—

I hope to be able to serve you without even going to your country and being any man's rival.— By sustaining your cause on all public occasions and by endeavoring to bring the force of public opinion, within the humble sphere of my influence, to bear beneficially, first on your emancipation from Mexican Domination, and next in favor of your Independence as a free, sovereign and independent Republic or as a member of our Confederacy, as you, among yourselves, may deem most compatible with your own interests—

I shall leave this on Friday, the 1st for Washington where I shall see both Mr. Forsyth and Mr. Van Buren and do your Country all the good I can, by urging immediate recognition.— Nor shall my exertions be wanting in New York among your friends to aid your cause, in every possible manner in which it can be benefitted, as your friends there happen to be some of the best of My own.—

I shall be exceedingly happy to hear from you at all times, and at no moment will I be more gratified than when I can learn of the prosperity and entire emancipation of your noble and highly promising region.—

J. Hamilton—

Gen. S. F. Austin— Commissioner of Texas.—

P. S. Be pleased to direct to Charleston South Carolina to which I shall return in about three weeks.—

[Addressed:] Genl. S F Austin—Velasco Texas

Recd Forwarded by your Obt Servt.

New Orleans July 10. Wm. Bryan