Philadelphia, June the 21-1812
it tis with heart felt sorrow I take up my pen to Inform my dear
Husband that, War, is Absolutely declared, the Express arrived
from Washington last Evening, and in a little time all will be in
bussel and Confusion—I have always dreaded a war so much, I
could not allow myself to think their would be Declaration of it—
but it tis two true—and my fears for my Dr friends in Louisianna
is now greater than theay ever have beene—it, will now be the
Interest of the British to Urge on the Savages and O I greatly fear
the Consequences will be dreadfull—I am also Extreamly Unhappy
on our Sons account—least he should be taken on his Voyage and
should this Unfortunately happen, your famaly here will be in a
very Unpleasant Situation, in short we shall be holy Dependent on
our friends, who Sertinly are very good and kind at present, but was
I to be deprived of those Remittances you are Sending on, I know
not what Change might take place, however I will not Anticipate
so great a Misfortune, but Indeed my dear it gives me Inexpressable
Uneasiness—I wrote you a long letter which I Expected to have sent
by Major Penrose, he being detained I sent it by post also a letter
to Sister Peggy—I gave up all hope of Seeing Sister Becca in the
City—and after waiting for hur two weeks—I went to Jersey where
I meant to stay till Stephen arrived—but two days ago, Sister came
up, and as soon as I got word of her arrival I Came to town, and
had the pleasure to find hur in perty good health—if any misfortune
should befal our dr Son—I should go to Dellaware with hur and
run the Chance of my health—for I should fell better sattisfyd
with a Sister in the Situation I should be placed in, than with any
other person—I received a letter from Mr Whittlesey a few days
past—he Informs me my dear little B [Brown Austin] is in good
Health but that a verry dangerous disease had raged with great
violence in that part of the Country and that Mrs W— had been at
deaths dore with the fatal disorder—which was the cause of hur
not answering my letter I wrote from N York—at the same time he
beges me not to be alarmed on James [i. e., James Brown Austin]
Account, that he is in perfect health, grows and improves verry
fast, and that the fever is now Subsiding—Notwithstanding this I
am very unhappy least our dear boy should be taken ill, was it in
my power I think I would go on—but that is Imposably till I get
money to bare my Expences—I have many things to distress my
mind my dear Husband, in short I shall not know what happyniss
or Comfort is, till I am Restord to the Society of my Husband and
famaly—which, may the god of all goodness, Speadily grant and
in the Interam, may theay all be preserved in his holy keeping—I
am spending the day with Mrs Darah and withdrew from the
Company to write this hasty scrall, that it might go by the Mail
tomorrow, I thought you ought to know that war was declard Sister
Joines me in love to you and peggy—I am my dear Husband with
every sentiment of love and Anxiety your loveing Wife
Maria Austin.
I had a letter from Emily Yesterday. She is well and in good
Spirits at the Idea of soon seeing her dear Brother, god grant she
may not be disappointed is my prayr
[Address:] Mr. Moses Austin P. M. Mine a Burton Upper
Louisianna