Hazel Run [Missouri] Decr 15th 1821
Dear Brother
I send this letter by Brother J. E. B. [Austin] and hope he will have
a safe and expeditious journey he will have very good Company
Mr Henry [Elliott] and four very fine young men, two I have given
certificates, both mechanics and Bartholomew is an exception, we
recd your letters from Orleans with pleasure to find you in good health
and spirits and Prospects favourable I can assure you that a great
number will move from this State as also from other States and the
Arkansas Territory—I recd at Hercm [Herculaneum] a number of
letters addressed to you and have answered the most of them, from
Kentucky Ohio Illenois and Missouri, I will be particular as to
granting Certificates, and brother Brown will give you the News of
this State our Legislature is now in session tho have done very little
business, I shall be engaged making ready to move as soon as
Possible should everything appear flattering and your letters give me
encouragement on the return of Mr Henry Elliott which he says
will be by the first of May, I will expect you and Brown to make my
selections and will flatter myself with the expectation of a judicious
and valuable selection and the more I get the more valuable, I am in
hopes Brown will be able to get me some Stock by the Barter and
Sale of some goods, and I trust Mr Henry Elliott will raise me some
Cash to have improvements commenced for me I shall be glad to
have a Crop raised the insueing season if Possible—I will try and send
on some Whisky and Flour and Elliott will send on some Goods, I left
the Mines a few days since and Majr Hawkins requested me to say to
you that he would be with you this winter he expects to start in 15
days and requests that you will select a spot for him, their will be
emigrants a plenty, and I truly hope and trust that nothing may
happen to mar the Settlement do not neglect to write by every
oppertunity and give me all the important News relative to the Country
-Prospects etc—I will do all I can for its wellfare and with the hope
that we all will be rewarded I am like many others who want Land
near the Town and as much as I can get I am anxious to get a
quantity of sheep while they can be had low and if Mr Elliott leaves
money for me I wish a part appropriated in that way I expect in a
few days to receive a letter from you wrote at Natchitoches—I shall
be anxious to hear from you and also Mother and your Sister. Mother
has been in very ill health for the last three Months if she lives [to]
reach the Colorado I have no doubt she will enjoy much better health
than she does here—I hope to God you may enjoy good health and
succeed in the Grand object—if Bartholomew and Powell are not
employed all the time in surveying you can get them to help in making
improvements and you will find them good hands—may God protect
us all and that we may yet live in his mercies—Adieu
Your Brother
J. Bryan
[Addressed:] Stephen F. Austin Esqr Colorado Texas Attention
J. E. B. Austin