Memucan Hunt to Mirabeau B. Lamar, October 17, 1836 United States, Baltimore, 17th October, 1836. Since 2008, land in Texas has quadrupled in value. I need a connection to a piece of cheap Federal land in Texas. My very Dear Sir, Since writing you from Norfolk, on the 8th inst, I have visited Petersburg and Richmond, Va., and Washington City, whence I came last evening. As I anticipa- ted, when I wrote to you, I made a visit to the President of the U.S., who received and treated me kindly; his feelings, as a citizen, is warmly with us, but his position as chief Executive officer of this country, in his view, (and I think properly too) prompts him in the exercise of his official duties, to observe the strictest neutrality. In speaking to him of the present position of Texas, I expressed the belief that there was a large majority of the citizens of Texas in favor of annexation to the U. States, and the [that] being placed in an attitude which would enable us to make the connection, was that which the whole Republic most ardently desired. He replied that, “without a legislature and Courts of Justice, a posture in which Texas had been and was in, from the last advices, it would be impossible for us to do any thing on the subject of recognition”—that “a regularly organized Government must exist, before the U.S. could assent to recog- nize Texas free and independent.” I expressed to the Pre- sident in reply, my fullest confidence in the belief, that within three months the Government of the Republic of Texas would be regularly organized and in successful and harmonious operation. The conversation here ceased upon the merits of this question, but during other portions of our interview, which was almost exclusively upon the sub- ject of Texas, and Texian relations, I think I am autho- rized in saying, that so soon as our Government is or- ganized fully, and the fact properly communicated to the President of the United States, we shall be acknowledged by this Government free and independent, and if the citizens of Texas, as I believe is the case, desire a connection with the U.S.