.MTM2Ng.MTE2MTc1

1 Chap I

  The Why & the Wherefore of going to Texas is not all important to relate, but for some time ere I left England for this country from what I had read & heard of it gave me a strange inkling to know this Republic.   I had perused much that had been written on the country, but it is to Mr. Kennedy's "Rise, ? & prospects of Texas' published in 1841 that I obtained the information I sought for.   On my friends & acquaintances being much acquainted with my project of going& perhaps settling in Texas - they ? long faces, shrugged their shoulders, expostulated, suggested Australia, Canada &c - but Texas.? my determination - but gave their blessing - [[crossed out:  some there were who afforded me more positive ? of their friendship]]  I need hardly mention that to most people in Europe - Texas was an almost unknown country, torn edges obscure some words  was vage [sic] ideas regarding it locality - that Galveston island had been the abode of Pirates & other strange folk - & that a handful of American Backwoodsman & a few foreigners from every quarter of the globe had rescued from the bigotted [sic] X  ? & debased Mexicans a considerable portion of territory.   Many sanguinary conflicts had been the consequence of this crusade of civilization - but the Battle of San Jacinto fought on the 21 April 1836 under General Houston had settled for now the separation of Texas from Mexico.
  I made arrangements to go from London to Galveston direct - but this I do not generally recommend, without a large number of persons or