New York 9th. July 1836

My Dear Friend

Your letter of the 16th. of June was received the day before yesterday.

I am most happy to hear from you and to know that you are well and thus far on your way to the seat of Govt. I pray to God that your council may be regarded, for I believe it will be different from the recent disposition manifested by the cabinet and President, in relation to Santa Anna. I have never doubted about your final success, until I heard that the Texian cabinet had resolved to let that Brute escape, Then I must confess I gave up all hope. For, depend upon it, had that trick succeeded, all sympathy for Texas would have been lost, in the states— You never could again have excited us to aid or avenge your cause, As it is, I fear a stain has been put upon your Escutcheon, that time alone will obliterate. What, in the name of God could have induced your people to think of such a thing? After such a victory as that of the 21st of April, with the Brute in your power and his forces scattered to the winds, the world, in amazement would have proclaimed the act treachery, But you are among them again, hold to the d________rascal. He cannot hurt you where he is, but let him go and you will not only feel his power, but the want of friends and money too. No inducements of gain nor entreaties for help could again impose upon the people of this country—Therefore let him perish.

Write to me from the seat of Govt. Let me know every thing. And let me advise you to fortify and provision your country, for an other campaign. Rebuild the Alamo, make strong your coast and get plenty of pork and beans, and powder and shot, for an other fight, for, altho I do not much believe the Mexicans will trouble you again, yet for valor's sake, be prepared. Your own strength and conduct at home will give confidence to your friends here and elsewhere.

Nothing can be done with the proposed loan. Nothing but Lands will satisfy the lenders, and that at a low rate. I will not advise your Government, but I will repeat to you what I said to you and Wharton here, let your Lands pay the expences of the war, if you sell them for only 5 cents an acre. You must yet have large sums and that promptly and nothing else will bring them— Childress left this City just a week ago I did not see him, he left his card for me, but I did not see him to converse with him— Mess Grayson and Collingsworth have not yet arived. I hear that they are hourly expected in Washington. They should have been there ere this, as the President leaves there tomorrow for the hermitage, Your commissioners are too tardy in their movements. It will be much to be regretted, if they arrived after the President departs.

Your friends here etc all well, but much distressed, as well as disgusted, with the conduct of those who would have permitted Santa An[na] to escape. It has well nigh ruined the cause here.

Believe me my dear friend most sincerely yours.

Saml. Swartwout

S. F. Austin Esqr.