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think only of San Antonio and Goliad in the Spanish history direction; and in a small and stereotyped way at that. I am coming to believe that Laredo is an important cog in the Spanish history centers of Spanish South Texas.
The highway department should be thinking, and acting, in behalf of the Caminao Real San Antonio southward, but not down into the brush and mesquite at Presidio del Rio as they are now commanded. Laredo should be thinking of this.
I am President of the Old Snanish Trail, Florida to California, but not much occupied with this nuw. I have, however, gathered for years Spanish history across the continent from St. Augustine to San Diego. I have been decorated by the King of Spain; am Comendador of the Royal Order of Isabel la Catolica. It happens that at that ceremony the representative of the King enjoined upon me to continue the development of the old Spanish history in this country.
If I am consistent this means not a transcontinental Old Spanish Trail alone but that great Camino Real thru Texas and down to Mexico City. This information is merely interesting side light except it emphasizes reasons I have for the interest I take in this old history, unfortunately I am not financially independent and much has moved slowly I would have liked to push faster.
If we can establish the history and course of this old trail, and can publicize its historic values, it will have important relation to the Centennial plans. And it will help get across the correct perspective regarding the building of the old historic trail by the highway department. I am not sure just what history information may be found in Laredo, I am hoping you may have some thoughts and suggestions you can write without much trouble. Whether there is information there bearing on the trail to San Antonio, I of course do not know. We can carry the study clearly to the junction south of lourdanton, and I believe the old trail was down thru what became Ft. Ewell in later years. I trust you will forgive so long a letter,
Sincerely,
IIARRAL AYERS
Gunter Hotel.
NOTE:	The	map	enclosed	is	a	Highway Map of Texas issued
by E. L. Steck Co., Austin, Texas, on which Mr. Ayres has marked the route of the old Spanish Trail, showing it with a broken line from a point west of Tilden, presumably aoout Jourdanton, dorm to Laredo.
In a pencil note on the margin of the map he asks, "#fhere £and what about) Chacon Sprgs. and San Ygnacio Spgs.? Y/here was Pa,so de Jacinto? So. of Laredo how far?”