PBA Galleries

Autograph letter signed Estavan F. Austin. In Spanish. 19 lines, in ink, on one side of single sheet of paper.  23.5x18 cm (9¼x7”).

The Texas empresario, a decade into his project of founding a colony of emigrants from the United State in Mexican-controlled Texas, writes to the commander of military forces in the east Texas town of Nacogdoches, apologizing first for a delay in answering a letter written to him the end of March (in translation, “I have been absent from these parts most of the time since the month of February”), and continues  “Up to now, I have not had any news of the national schooner Constante that you tell me about in your letter. The Galveston administrator has started to carry out the duties of his post, and I will waste no time in advising him of your desires… I remain your very attentive friend and servant, who kisses your hands. Estevan F. Austin.” The letter was written around the time that the Mexican government was attempting to curtail the emigration of U.S. citizens into Mexico, though Austin, through his good relations with the government, was able to continue to accept emigrants into his colony. The “Constante” is listed as a brigantine in a roll of historic ships of the Mexican Navy.