New Orleans June 27, 1821
Dear Madam,
Your son Stephen F. Austin has been a member of my family for
the last eight months—His amiable qualities of the heart combined
with his intelligence and acquirements will always secure him
friends—
And our intercourse has resulted in mutually warm and I trust
lasting attachment. He had set his heart on facilitating the views of
his father in his contemplated settlement in Texas—And believing
the enterprise laudable, and perhaps promising some reward to those
who would toil in its prosecution, I agreed to meet the proposition
of his Father, and take a joint interest in the grant and settlement—
Upon receiving your last letter enclosing one from your son, Mr.
Bryan enjoining so strongly on Stephen in the name of his father
the fulfilment of his objects (which indisposition then prevented his
doing,) Stephen and myself both concluded it was best for him to set
out immediately and meet the Spanish officers waiting at Nachitoches
to conduct him to the grant—and take a number of respectable
persons along with him to explore the Country—He set out from this
place ten days ago to effect this object taking some 8 or 10 persons
with him—The Spanish Officers having been waiting some time they
have probably by this time set out for the Colorado—
I have advanced Stephen all the funds he desired for the
expedition and have promised to furnish more as he requires them—His
prospects seem flattering so far as the good feelings of the local
officers and Government can promise success.
I had expected his father here as soon as his health would permit,
and was prepared to further his views by every friendly effort in my
power—Today I learn that that father—is no more—I have no
consolation my dear madam for this afflictive dispensation— Your only
consolation is to be found in the resignation which we owe to the
will of Heaven— Blessed by the dear pledges of affection left behind,
you should for their sake meet this inroad upon your happiness with
the fortitude necessary to sustain it—¦
God still tempers the wind to the shorn lamb-—- It is the Cup of
afflication that chastens and brightens the pearls scattered before us
here, and sometimes prepares us for that hereafter, where " the
weary are at rest, and the wicked cease from troubling "—
Pardon the liberty I take in addressing you— My only object is
to fil the place of your Stephen until he shall return to you— Pray
look upon me as such— Will you allow me to ask if any remittance
of money or shipment of articles from this place is now necessary to
your comforts? I promised Stephen to write you if anything
happened and would to God I could alleviate your sorrows—
Yrs truly and respty
Jos: H Hawkins
P. S. I shall forward an express to Stephen informing him of his
fatal loss—but shall urge him by all means to prosecute the objects
of his Enterprise.
J. H. H.
[Addressed:] Mrs Austin Widow of the late M. Austin Esq Near
Herculaneum State Missouri.