In this Spanish South Texas there is historical information uncovered thai: suggests an intensely interesting situation. By organization our hest intelligence surely can he interested. I can see how a very interesting travel and tourist interest can he fostered to bring people to Texas in the Centennial year. And this interest will he such that, if we cared to, Monterrey and Mexico City would join in...the highway to Mexico City will he completely paved before then. There is a possible pulling power in all this to draw the Nation's travelers southward. Our highway department would have little to do to prepare the HEsAsd Spanish trails for light travel (not for expensive commercial and truck travel) and a land rich in old Spanish atmosphere would he opened. All South Texas cities would he interested in this. Moreover, bringing this old Spanish history out instead of letting it he hurid forever in oblivion would he a finer contribution to Texas than even the purchase of the Alamo. I can show you many things when you arrive.
For years I have believed there was somthing big in Spanish activities in Texas to cause such missions as at San Antonio to be constructed, San Jose "the greatest in all New Spain," and New Spain embraced Mexico, and this northern territory, and Central Ame» ica, and South America around the Gulf, and the West Indies, and the Philippines. Great minds and considerable money in a period of weakening power and scarcity of funds, were concentrated here; not on one mission but on five missions and a royally supported city. Such mission structures were not for Indians alone; they were built with greater thoughts in mind.	Today,	in their neglect and in h
the little history that is m print, they are not much for a Centennial to tie to, but all these South Texas Spanish localities, if given their true historical setting, can be made a power of inteskst for the Centennial.
I enclose a map outline of the Spanish arteries; these trail courses will change history if historically established. I have established a number of wilderness control points, and there is important material at a number of places along these trails. The map at least will give youna mental picture.
The reason the rich history of the San Antonio missions has never been written is because this background is unknown, and much local history is scattered or unknown. Our studies of San Jose uncoverd many leads and much history
California, Santa Fe, and New Orleans, have an extensive array of modern books that steadily interest people in those centers.
San Antonio and South Texas will also have an extensive history literature when the basic Spanish history is dug out, woven together and made accessible, and not until then.
This is but a hasty letter. Yours has but just arrived. You will understand more clearly when you can see maps and data. There is no question but there is a rich field for organized cooperation.
Sincerely}