April 22, 1863, Galveston Weekly News
I take this opportunity to say to those planters with whom I have conferred on the subject of establishing a cotton and woolen factory, some of whom subscribed conditionally to the stock of the proposed Texas Manufacturing Company before I obtained a charter incorporating the same, which was granted at the last regular session of the Texas Legislature, that I have made arrangements for all the machinery for a cotton and woolen mill of any size or capacity desired, and if those planters who were in favor of establishing said manufactory, or any other responsible individual, or set of men in the State wish to establish a large or small cotton and woolen factory in Texas, and will furnish me the cotton at once to pay for the machinery, I will furnish it at such place and on such terms as may be agreed on, and I will turn over to them the said charter at what it is worth, and I will take stock if parties desire me to do so, and do all in my power to aid in establishing such an institution as the planters in this State need.
I beg leave to say, however, that I am not in favor of the South becoming a manufacturing people to a great extent, especially of the finer fabrics, but I am in favour of Texas and all the Confederate States becoming more self-reliant, and manufacturing plantation goods and producing in our glorious Confederacy every necessary of life we require.
With the sword in one hand and the plow and spindle in the other, and God on our side, we will gain our independence, and by economy, industry and temperance, and the productions of our soil, the Confederate States of America may become one of the wealthiest, the most independent and powerful nations on the globe–for if God be for us, who can be against us.
Any communications addressed to me at Brenham between this and the first day of May will receive attention.
Harris Hoyt.