Very respectfully, (Signed) H. W. Merrill Bt Major USA To/His Excelly Gov. M. Pease Legation of the United States Brussels, January 14, 1855 Dear Sir: Although not acquainted with your Excellency, yet as the diplomatic representative of our country I take the liberty of addressing you this note for the purpose of introducing to your acquaintance and attention the distinguished Republican, Mons. Victor Considerant of France; who is about leaving Europe with a number of his Countrymen to settle and establish a Colony in your state. Mons. Considerant is an ardent republican and has not escaped the persecution usually attendant upon the advocates of these opinions in Europe. Our Countrymen, I trust, will receive him the more cordially. He is a gentleman of means education and intelligence, and will be a most valuable acquisition to your state. Under these circumstances it is not necessary to commend him both good office and kind consideration of the governor of the free and chivalrous state of Texas. I have the honor to be, Sir, with very great respect your Countryman & old Servant.[2] (Signed) J. J. Seibel To/His Excellency the Governor of Texas The State of Texas County of Travis Know all men by these present that I James Knight of Fort Bend County. State aforesaid for a good & Valuable Consideration. The receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, have by these presents doth hereby grant bargain and convey unto Victor Prosper Considerant, his heirs and assignees all the right title and interest that I have or may hereafter acquire of in the certificate no [3169/3270] for one league and labor of Land issued by the Commission—is of the General Land office on the 19th day of January A D 1854 which said certificate was issued to me as assigned of James McLaughlin Witness my hand and scrawl for seal this 7th Jany A D 1855.[3] E. R. Peck John C. Higginson James Knight (Seal) [1]Texas Archives, Governor’s Letters—Pease. [2]From Archives of Texas, Governor Pease’s Letters. [3]From Texas Land Office—Dallas Co.—James McLaughlin, File 853. REFERENCES Introduction