The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 40, July 1936 - April, 1937 Page: 41
348 p. : maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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The Mercer Colony in Texas, 1844-1883 41
ilies, were concerned about the situation, too. Mowe, who was
one of the associates, wrote from London to Ashbel Smith in
Paris, on January 4, 1844, urging him to use influence to obtain
from the Texan government an extension of time for beginning
the execution of the contract. At the same time, he informed
Smith that Mercer was in Texas exerting himself to carry the
contract into effect.28
Mercer's departure for Texas December 8, 1843, apparently was
not in line with the plans of the Secretary of "The Texas Agri-
cultural, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Company," who com-
municated with the Secretary of State of Texas as follows:
Louisville, Kentucky
Honorable Anson Jones, 21 st. Dec., 1843
Sec. St.
Dr. Sir :
A letter from General C. F. Mercer of Tallahasee, Florida,
dated at N. Orleans the 11 instant informs me that he was on
his way to your Republic to make further negotiations in regard
to the colonizing operations now in progress under the law of
Texas and the contract made in conformity though General Mercer
is obviously in the dark in regard to the present attitude of the
concern. Had he waited the arrival of my letter in reply to his
of the 24 ult. it would have superseded the necessity of his present
visit. Any attempt at present on his part to negotiate for further
condition would only do injury and greatly increase his embar-
rassment. His visit makes it necessary for me also to make a like
journey and I trust he will defer all action until my arrival.
I shall leave on 25 or 26 instant.
Respectfully,
E. B. Ely,
Sec. Tex. A. C. & M.24
Just what transpired between Ely and Mercer upon their arrival
in Washington is not known, but Mercer's interest in the contract
of January, 1843, ceased.25 He secured a contract in which he
became the chief agent, regarding which President Houston advised
his Secretary of State as follows:
"'Colonization Papers, 1836-1845. Texas State Library.
"E. B. Ely to Anson Jones, December 21, 1843. Colonization Papers,
1843-1845. Texas State Library.
"Hale Papers. University of Texas.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 40, July 1936 - April, 1937, periodical, 1937; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101099/m1/49/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.