Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-11-20
Mr.. .austin's Settlement IN 7eras.

Aoik-i wrote you lew Gays ago =
The mail arrived from the interior this
morning via St. Antonio-Mexico had not sur
rendered, but was still closely besicging, and
no doubt is entertained of its falling in the
hands of the revolutionists, who were redoub-
ling their efforts as opposition manifested it.
self.
All is quiet in the interior. And the Inde-
pendent government appears firmly establish
ed. With the exception ofthe cities mention
cd in my former letter, Vera Cruz, Mexico
and Durangol all have declared in favour of
Independence, and rejoice at the change. At
these points resistance was to he expected
from the Royal forces-but it is too feeble to
last long-and ere this letter reaches YOU, it
is more than probable that this vast empire
Will have little else to do than quietly organize
a government for themselves.
SO far as regards this and the other internal
provinces, the revolution is complete-and
every thing is progressing with order and
security accompanied by the undivided APP
probation and rejoicing of the people.
The change will have the most beneficial
effects upon my contemplated settlement in
this province.
The new government promptly confirmed
the proceedings of the old in regard to my
grant of land-and has already furnished me
with every facility as TO guides Sc for ex-
mcnce in two or three DAYS
My affairs now stand thus Il have liberty
To settle three hundred or more families in
THIS prOvince-and am vested with the right
OF selecting the place of settlement in any part
oil the province, deemed most advantageous
for the settlers-after making the selection. |
am to designate its limits by natural boundaries,
as far as practicable, and am authorized TO
include within the boundaries, sufficient land
to secure TO each individual settler at least 900
acres of land for agricultural purposes, and an
additional quantity TO settlers in proportion to
the size of their families number of their slaves
and resources they possess for cultyatng the
soil, or advancing the settlement
L have also the power Of sounding the coast
and selecting town site, and laying of the
town. The site so selected to be port of
entry-and the settlers are authorized to in
troduce every description of property they
think proper Except merchandise for trade)
free of duty.
In addition To the land for agricultural pur-
poses, each settler will be allowed an addition
al tract for vachery, and he will receive Il
town lot.
For the information of the settlers / sub
nit the following as the outline which pro
pose to pursue in regard to the grants of lands.
propose to give each individual settler one
tract of land, binding on the river or some
water course, ho!f mile IN front, by two
miles in depth for farmnS-and one other
| tract of one and half mile square to berloca-
ted back from the river for vachery.
To those settlers who have families, pro-
pose the following addition to their grams
| Say to each married woman, 1870 acres,
to each child, 80 acres,
for each slave, 40 acres,
To be laid of adjoining the farming tract
and double that quantity adjoining the vachc-
| ry tract.
Should this rule be pursued, a married man
with two children and ten slaves would receive
1850 acres of land to be laid off in an oblong
| square, binding on a river or some water
course, Tor farming purposes and 2840 acres
| Tor vachery, making together 1900 acres of
land besides town lot--and so on in the same
ratio where individuals do not possess slaves,
but bring with them property and the means
of cultiyating larger tracts of land, than would
| answer single settler.
The lands and lots to be laid off, designated
and assigned to the settlers upon just princi-
piles, hereafter to be adopted having for their
basis something like the above outline as to the
quantity of land TO be granted. To cause the
lands to be surveyed, and effect all the objects,
necessary to perfect and deliver each settler
his grant, will require much labor and expense.
10 cover these expenses, and toallow me a
| moderate compensation for the time employ
ed IN etcctng these and other objects necessa-
ry to the settlers Vt is expected that each set
tier viii advance five dollars upon receiv-
| Ing his authority TO settle within the grant
and that he will pay from FIVE to ten cents
per acre for the good lands granted to him
say one half to be paid when he receives his
grant, and the other half one year thereafter
| These payments TO exempt the settler from
all cost and charges as to surveying the lands
and pertectlng grants. But on this subject rs
well as the quantity of land TO be granted, and
all others coupled with the settlement, such
notifications shall be made, and such course
pursued rs shall be equitable towards the set
tiers, and deemed by me most promotiye o
their interests.
Great facilities and advantages will be givcr
to steady industrious mechanics.
And 1t IS of great importance that the set
tiers should make their arrangements to arrive
on their lands by the month of February at
larthest, so as to make crop the ensuing
spring.
! There are two modes ofefcctng this objec (
one by land by the way of Natchitoches
which WILDE, think, the best mode for settlers
who descend the Mississippi. The other will
be by sea.
! This would perhaps best suit settlers from
the vicinity Of New Orleans, and the Atlanli,
States. As soon as the coast is sounded, ant
the site for our town is selected, we will keen
up a regular communication with New Orean.
by sea.
shall lose no time in returning to Louisiana
where shall publish the points at which vii