Texas: the rise, progress, and prospects of the Republic of Texas, Vol.1 Page: 377 of 432

                                
CHAP. IV.] PROGRESS OF SETTLEMENT.

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The terms announced in the journals of Louisiana
and Mississippi for Texan emigrants were attractive,
and many persons evinced an inclination to avail
themselves of them; but, at the commencement,
means of transport were wanting. By the liberality
of a friend (Mr. J. H. Hawkins), a schooner called
"The Lively " was placed at Mr. Austin's disposal,
fitted out with provisions, arms, ammunition, seed
corn, and agricultural implements, with directions
to sail from New Orleans for Matagorda Bay, and
thence up the Colorado to an eligible landing-place.
The Lively proceeded on her voyage in November,
1821, with eighteen emigrants on board, whilst
Austin, accompanied and followed by others, went
by Red River to Natchitoches, and thence travelled
by land to the " crossing " of the La Bahia road, on
the Brazos river, where he arrived in December,
and broke the silence of the wilderness with the stir
of industry. Leaving his hardy followers to ply
the axe on their lands, he proceeded to the coast, in
the hope of meeting the Lively at the entrance of
the Colorado.  The schooner never arrived, and
Mr. Austin, after waiting three months in daily
expectation of her appearance, and having sustained
the severest privations, aggravated by the sickness
of hope deferred, re-ascended the river to the La
Bahia road, where he was met by his brother
James, with whom, and in company with twenty
others, he journeyed to San Antonio, where he arrived
on the 15th of March, 1822. On making his
report to the Governor, he received an intimation
alike unexpected and unwelcome.
In August, 1821, when Stephen Austin first
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