Ouchita La. Decr 1st 1821
Dear Sir
I received your letter of the 6th ult. but too late to answer to meet
Mr Austin in Natchitoches by the 28th—as you desired—but hoping
it may reach him before he leaves I now write you—I was more than
pleased with the description you gave me of the province of Texas—.
and particularly that part contained in Mr Austins Grant— you have
not only enlisted me but my wife, she has given her perfect consent
for me to visit the country this winter and if I like to move to it as
soon as I can settle my business—
I expect Mr John Filhiol one of my wifes uncles and myself will
probably set out in the month of January—to take precisely the rout
you took till we arrive at the contemplated Town—I wish you there-
for to give Mr Austin your opinion of me, and if you can prevail on
him to consider me one of his choice settlers—and in the first class of
Locations—when I come on I will bring all the documents to show
him, satisfactorily my claims to his friendship and confidence—I
shall expect to bring in family as follows—a wife and child (by the
By—I did not tell you what a fine Daughter I have—yes one that
shall make many a heart tremble in the Province) and between ten
and fifteen negro slaves—and if I like as well as I expect—I can bring
many worthy families from my native state South Carolina as soon
as I can get them word—
I wish a Town lot—and tract of Land near Town—as may be
possible to obtain, on account of my profession which I shall wish to
follow—and a tract imbracing a good mill seat above whereon I will
build a set of mills immediately—if I move—to supply the Town with
materials for building—If a division of the Lands should take place
before I reach [there] Please prevail on Mr Austin to suffer you to
draw for me in Town and country agreeably to your and his
judgment suitable Mr Gramont Filhiol as well as John will move if I like
when I come out—
I have written a few lines covering yours to Mr Austin have in
there referred him to you—Mr Ballou and Mr Lovelace—who is with
you—my wife [would be] rejoiced to remove with Mr Lovelaces
Family—If I could settle my business in time but I cannot as I have
to sell for him property before I move—
I continued the cause of Sutton against his wife till next court for
want of testimony for her I still hope I shall succeed in making her
innocent and his cruelty appear—and securing to her her dower in
her contract secured
My wife and the Mr Filhiols send their respects to you—my
Daughter Elisa would send hers but she does not speak quite well enough
being only two days old—she and mother are quite brave—and I
remain—healthy—chearfull and as usual your friend and Hble Svt
James Fort Muse
Holtham—-is coming out to the province will try to fall in with
Mr Austin at Natchitoches—he is quite malencholy and has been for
some time back—perhaps he has repented—If so forgive him—He
has not said anything lately that I have learned against the little
injured Female
Muse.
[Addressed]: William W. Little, Esquire. Province of Texas.
Mr. S. F. Austin.