Spanish History Research Library, 13.2 College Street,
St. Mary's Academy Building.
October IS, 1933
Llr. 33. K. Martin,
H i ghway C ommi s s i o ner .
Bear Mr. Martin:
I dropped in to your office but you were very busy, so thought this letter better.
I have maps and considerable data on the Spanish trails in this southern part of Texas. There was a coordinated series of them, and the courses they followed are interesting. In view of the fine work you are doing have often thought you would be helped if you could see these records. The object of my call was to suggestthis.
Tire c ami no real between San Antonio and the Rio Grande below Eagle Pass, so often glorified, is not, I am sure, a primary trail of that Spanish era. And this same camino real, as claimed, thru 17ew Braunfels to Eacogdoches, was not the primary Spanish trail; apparently it sliould never be called the camino real or Spanish trail. It is instead, the Old San Antonio Road of the American era. The Spanish trail of the Spanish era, to northeast Texas, followed a very different and much a ..Sex course.
I do not pretend that 1 have the last word on this subject but I have considerable interesting information and maps, and I believe your experienced highway mind will appreciate the studies that are in progress and you may have good suggestions to add to these studies.
VJith this letter to indicate what is in my mind, I can phone you and perhaps find a time when you may not be sc busy.
Tour work as commissioner is fine; I arc glad to pay this tribute.
Sincerely,
Harral Ayres