Southwestern Historical Quarterly Volume 9 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 Excerpt: ...and Brazos, have been granted away to American Settlors, and that the tide of emigration is settling very fast in the direction of the Rio Bravo. These grants have been made by the provincial Government of Texas, and retailed by the Original speculators to the hordes of their countrymen, which have already arrived there, at a moderate price of half a dollar an acre, by which however they have cleared 150 per cent profit. On the most moderate computation, six hundred North American families are already established in Texas; their numbers 'Ward to Canning, September 6, 1825, Foreign Office MSS., Mexico, XIV. are increasing daily, and though they nominally recognize the authority of the Mexican Government, a very little time will enable them, to set at defiance any attempt to enforce it.... General Wavell has, I believe, a considerable share, of the land but he is, I understand, almost the only Englishman, who has applied for land in Texas. The rest of the settlers are all American--Backwoodsmen, a bold and hardy race, but likely to prove bad subjects, and most inconvenient neighbors. In the event of a rupture between this country and the United States, their feelings and earlier connections will naturally lead them to side with the latter; and in time of peace their lawless habits, and dislike of all restraints, will, as naturally, induce them to take advantage of their position which is admirably adapted for a great smuggling trade, and to resist all attempts to repress it. In short, Mexico, though she may gain in point of numbers, will not, certainly, acquire any real strength, by such an addition to her population.... Not knowing in how far His Majesty's Government may conceive the possession of Texas by the Americans, to be likely to affect the interests ...