Inventor, surveyor, and publisher (1801–1874), and the inventor of condensed milk in 1856. ALS, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.5 x 9.5, San Felipe, January 8, 1835. Letter to J. S. Menefee concerning upcoming elections. In full: “I wish you a happy New Year—Should be glad to meet you at your Aunts on the 15th but cannot. To come right to the point, I want to tell you, that if you hold an Election in your district for Electors, we (Austin’s friends) want you to vote for the electors proposed by the Ayentamiento of this place—to wit:
James Miller Wm. C. White R. Jones Thos. M. Duke Wm. Pettis Thos. Gray John P. Coles Ed Burleson Wm. H. Martin Geo. M. Patrick
It is thought another ticket will be got up for the purpose of opposing Col. Austin, and for purposes connected with the appointment of Chambers as Chief Judge, now you will understand we do not want Chambers reapppointment—Beware of men that whisper in the ear—They tell us that such & such men are bad men when they themselves are making plots to aggrandize themselves on the ruin of better people.
Now to my one business I send you a prospectus which I want you to keep in your own possession and get as many good subscribers as you can and send me word—We intend to have a new process and a new workman—Wm. Baker is a first rate man and very able to edit a paper—I hope you will help us also in that department.
My respects to Uncle George and his family—tell him I have got his work done respecting the land for which I have paid him the lawyer. Should any of your people wish titles made out, I can get it done on better terms than the lawyers will do it.”
Intersecting folds, mild areas of toning, and writing lightly showing through from opposing sides, otherwise fine condition.
In the starkest of terms, Borden articulates a growing distrust, increasingly evident as Texans became more and more divided on the future of their relationship with the Federal government. One month after Borden dispatched this letter from Austin, the ayuntamiento held an election for delegates to Consultation Election of 1835. He was a man deeply interested in politics, and also passionate about Texans’ rights, having served on the San Felipe committee of correspondence and the District Convention of 1833. As a supporter of what came to be known as the Austin ticket, Borden encouraged fellow citizens to back candidates who would more aggressively address Texans’ grievances with Mexico. Those growing dissatisfied with Mexican rule began to coalesce around Austin, who symbolized a growing interest in upholding Texans’ constitutional freedoms. Austin, himself an advocate for moderation, had been jailed without being formally charged in Mexico City on the suspicion of incitement. After this, his confidence in the good faith of the Federal government disappeared. The damning words that Borden had for Texas provincial chief justice Thomas J. Chambers stemmed from the attorney’s attempts to suppress the Anahuac disturbances. With his ties to the Mexican government, backers of the Austin ticket accused him of being a Tory. Unlike prior consultations, this convention would prove to be a more willing to consider armed rebellion. Absent were any loyalty pledges or politely-worded petitions to the Mexican government. At this stage, the principal objective was to achieve a stronger recognition of their rights within the federation. But the tenor of the conversation was certainly becoming more forceful, indicating that if Mexico should “impel us to take up arms, and the objects for which we fight.” A forcefully-worded letter penned by an influential leader, advocating a course that set the stage for eventual independence. The Robert Davis Collection, read more about Robert Davis. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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