Stephen F. Austin.

To the friends of Austin.

A sacred duty is yet to be performed,— A noble trust is yet to be committed,— a patriot's gratitude is yet to be given to the biographer of Stephen F. Austin,—the father of his country,— Him! the first great "pioneer of pioneers," who founded, who suffered, who died for his country. Wonderful man! Rising superior, far beyond common thought and human passion,—casting from him, in the service of the state, the feelings of the private man, for the sake of union in a common cause,—for his country's good. "This first of patriots, and best of men," forgot injury, in- gratitude, contumely,—forgave his bitter enemies, and with them, labored for his country's triumph. Such, and more, was Stephen F. Austin: One of the brightest examples of human enterprise and virtue,—a man that should be known to every Texian Upon his countrymen we rely for aid in our present undertaking. From a sense of duty, and at the solicitation of our friends, we have commenced the task of collecting material for the life of Genl. Austin.

Having in our family all of his public and private papers in his possession, at the time of his death; with the information gained from his sister, (his only near relative) the playmate of his childhood,—the companion of his youth, we already have more than a nucleus around which we hope to collect much information important to the future historian of Austin and Texas. But for this information we must mainly rely upon gratitude, friendship and public spirit.

Before it is too late we wish to collect the information that the pioneers and old settlers alone can give, which may be, unless now obtained, ere long, buried in the silence of the grave. We appeal then, to those who braved, with the patriarch of Texas, the wilderness; to go back to the time when they thirsted and hungered,—fought the savage, and drove him from his haunts. Survivors of the old "Three Hundred" we appeal to you. We appeal to the old settlers for justice to the memory of Austin. Yes, once more enact the scene of other days; once more under Austin's banner march and do good service for his, and your name,— A service due to yourselves,—to posterity, to your worthy and beloved chief.

We do not seek information from the old settlers alone; but look to every Texian, whether he be an old, or a new settler, to communicate anything of interest he knows of Austin, Austin now is the property of the whole country: no particular portion of the Community.can claim him; no section of Country can appropriate him.

In the language of the good and chivalrous Lamar, in 1837, we would further present the claims of Austin, upon the patriot and true Texian. "The claims of General Austin upon the affections of the people of Texas were of the strongest kind. He was not only the founder of our republic; but there is scarcely a blessing which has flowed to the country that may not fairly be attributed to his untiring efforts for its welfare; whilst almost every calamity and misfortune which have befallen it, might have been averted by an adherence to his wise and prudent councils. The world has afforded but few examples of superior intelligence and sagacity; and as for disinterested and extended philanthropy, his long sufferings for the weal of others,—, his patient indurance under persecution,—his generous forgiveness of enemies—and his final sacrifice of health, happiness and life in the service of his country,—all conspire to place him without a modern rival, amongst the first of patriots, and the best of men. Now that he lives no more to serve us by his counsels, or to receive the reward of his labors, let us manifest our gratitude by doing justice to his memory. Let us make a full and faithful record of his good works, and following the example of his own generosity, give each venial error to the stream of Lethe. To pay due tribute to departed excellence is a pleasing performance to the generous mind; and not to do it,—to deny just homage to exalted worth, evinces a sad insensibility to virtue. Surely, no one who casts his eyes over our broad and beautiful prairies, and reflects that he has come to the bright inheritance through the toils and afflicting vicissitudes of one whose home, for our benefit, has been the wilderness and the dungeon, can for a moment, refuse his small contribution toward erecting a monument to the memory of the noble benefactor? And of what shall that monument consist? Of Marble? No: The best and purest superstructure which can be reared to the honor of Austin, is the record of his actions,—the history of his life; and he who shall contribute to this object by preserving any anecdote and interesting fact illustrative of his character, will not only render service to the cause of truth and justice; but will be making some small return for the many blessings which we are all enjoying from his labors.

"The labors of Austin were extensive, and important: So intimately connected with all the interesting events of his times, that a faithful account of his life must necessarily embrace a large portion of the history of our country. It will be perceived, therefore, that the materials appropriate to such a work, will not be limited to any particular epoch; but will include whatever relates to past wars—to the aborigines,—to the settlement of the province by North Americans,—to the thrilling events of our revolutionary struggle for independence; and indeed, to every object and circumstance in anywise connected with this country, and worthy to be remembered in its annals. As Boswell said of Doctor Johnson, we ought not to 'lose one drop of our immortal friend'; and it is to be hoped, that the early followers of Austin—the hardy adventurers who blazed their way through the bottom of the Brazos, will not permit the soul stirring scenes of former days to fade from memory, or go unchronicled before the wit- nesses are called upon to follow their faithful Pioneer to other, and more beautiful prairies of the spirit land."

It may be asked by Austin friends, What will be done with this material when collected? We reply that it will be placed with the matter we have already obtained, and carefully preserved for the future historian of Austin and Texas.

In order to facilitate our means of obtaining the information which may be contributed, the following gentlemen will please act as our agents in receiving communications and transmitting the same by safe hands to the undersigned, or to James F, Perry and Wm- J. Bryan, Peach Point, Brazoria Country.

Austin—J. H. Kuykendall Wm Pettus Col. L. W. Groce Oliver Jones

Washington—Horatio Chrisman E. Roddy Editor of Vindicator

Montgomery—Dr. Charles B Stewart Rankin.

Harris Stephen Richardson, Hon D G Burnet Editor of Telegraph

Liberty. W and F Hardin.

Fort Bend. J. B. Miller. Randall Jones and J. P. Borden

Brazoria. Col. Wm. T. Austin and Thaddeus Bell

Matagorda. Judge T. M. Duke. I. R. Lewis Esq. Editor of Despatch

Jackson. Genl A Sommervell and Geo Sutherland

Victoria. Rev. Mr. Blair and Maj David Murphree and Jno. Linn

Gonzales. T. J. Pilgrim. Andrew Ponton.

Bexar. J. W. Smith. Mr. Maverick and Erasmo Seguin

Bastrop. Genl. Burleson. B. Sims.

Travis Col. Cazneau and Capt. Hornsby

Fayette. A. and T. Rabb. Rev. Mr. Richardson and Editor of the Lagrange Intelligencer

Colorado. A Alley and Maj Montgomery

Galveston Saml. M. Williams and Gail Borden

Nacogdoches Gen. T. J. Rusk and Col. Sterne

San Augustine Editor of Red Lander

Communications addressed to the undersigned will be directed to Brazoria Brazoria Co