The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-04-06

varas; 177 II acres, 100000
square varas, or l labor; 1107.1 acres,
6,25O,OOO square varas, or t league ;
1853 acres, S,333,333 square varas,
or ] league; 2214.2 acres 12,50O,O00
square varas,or J league ;5428.4 acres,
$4,000, 900 square varas or l league.
To reduce square varas to acres
divide by 5645, or multiply by III
and cut off6 figures.
STATE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
During the past few days the
question has often been asked,
"Where will the state Democratic
convention be held Z" To satisfy
the curiosity of all, and save Calves
ton a great deal of worry, trouble
and unnecessary anguish, the follow
ing authoritative statement is pub
lished. The state Democratic ex-
ecutive committee is composed of
thirty-two members, including the
chairman. a careful canvass of the
! committee shows sixteen in favor of
holding the convention at Austin,
six i'll favor of Galveston, three in
favor of San Antonio and the bal
ance doubtful.
1t is reported that the survey for
the foundations of the new capital
fell short some twenty-six inches,
and it will cause the gentlemen do
ing the excavating much trouble
and unnecessary expense in getting
things on the proper lines.
1t is quietly bruited about that
the comptroller's letter-the long
looked for letter-will appear very
soon.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The following correspondence,
which took place in January last,
will explain itself, and be appre-
ciated by all interested in perpetu-
ating the memory of some of the
noblest heroes of Texas:
Hon. Ashbel Smith, Evergreen, Texas:
My Dear Colonel trust you
will pardon me for intruding upon
your valuable time, with the view of
seeking your advice and aid in dis
posing of subject that not only
particularly interests myself, but in
which the people of Texas have an
interest. L appeal to you more
readily from the fact that, unless my
memory is at fault, you were, with
myself, one of the originators of the
scheme, and the presiding chairman
at the first meeting at the battle
ground of San Jacinto, and at which
meeting | was selected as the custo-
dian of the funds. | allude to a
meeting on the battle ground of San
Jaeinto at which it was resolved to
raise fund "for the erection of a
memorial to the heroes of San Ja-
cinto."
While in Austin, in 1881, my resi-
dence, with all it contained, was de-
stroyed by fire, and among my
papers the original proceedings, sc.
My wife, however, mad for
tunately preserved the book
in which the original entries
of money received were kept, show
ing the condition of the fund. Some
time since inquiry was made through
the journals of the state as to what
had become of the funds named,
calling on some old citizen to reply.
/ wrote, and among other things
said, las an old citizen l take great
pleasure in giving you the desired
information. There never was or
ganized in Houston "a regular San
Jacinto battle field association
There was, however, an impromptu
organization on the battle ground
in 1856. L believe that Colonel, then
Doctor, Ashbel Smith, was chosen
president and l was selected as GUS
todian of any funds that might be
collected OH the battle ground and
from other sources. In the course
of several subsequent years at the
annual celebrations on The battle
ground and from citizens of Hous-
ton, Harrisburg, Liberty, Galveston,
Fayette, Walker, Caldwell, Gonzales,
Bastrop, Anderson and Grimes
counties, the sum of $501.20 was
paid into my hands, which, togeth-
er with $1,000 received from the
state at my solicitation, through
the exertions of my deceased friend,
Jas. w. Scott and his colleagues,
then members of the legislature
from Harris county, made total of
81, sol 20, which L hold as trust fluid
for the purposes subscribed. 1t was
thought at the time that $4,000
would erect q suitable monument;
hence the mistake l presume that
over $4,000 had actually been OBJ
tanned. Had not difficulty present
ed in getting the proper tit.e, to the
ground upon which the heroes OF
San Jacinto were buried, a shaft
would doubtless have been erected
| N ruh MI
sequently the idea prevailed that in
asmuch as the battle-ground was
in an isolated section of the country
with no probability of a railroad
being projected in proximity there
to, and as the battle was fought in
Harris county, it was deemed best
by many of the survivors to remove
the remains of those killed ON the
field to Houston, and erect the shaft
on the public square of that city.
On the 21st of April, 1873, and pre-
viously at the celebrations on the
battle-ground L stated that L held
this fund, and recommended
that steps be taken to carry
out the original intentions of the
subscribers, list of whom l have
preserved. l shall be most happy in
extending every aid in my power to
the consummation of SO laudable an
object" I then quoted my report
read on the 21st April, 1860, ON the
battle ground as follows: ''The re.
port of f. r. Lubbock, treasurer of
the San Jacinto monumental fund
would respectfully show that since
his report made on April Il, 1859,
there has been paid into his hands,
collected OH the battle ground on the
said 21st of April, 1859, the sum of
$16.05, making the amount now 10
the credit of said fund S1501.20. The
treasurer regrets that our labors
have not been crowned with as much
success as we had hoped for, never
theless sees nothing in that to deter
us from renewed and continued ex-
ertions, until we shall have accom-
plished the patriotic undertaking of
erecting a suitable monument to the
memory of those who fell on the
glorious field of San Jacinto. The
treasurer also regrets that circum-
stances beyond his control prevents
his being with you to-day. Let
him urge the appointing of a
committee whose. dnty it will
be to issue an address to the
people OF the state, and request to
the county officers of every county
in the state, that they receive sub
scriptions for the object sought to
be accomplished.
Very respectfully,
f. r. LUBBOCK,
| Treasurer.