Buckners on the Colorado
29th January 1822
Dear Brother—
I arrived here on the 28th 1st. in company with H Elliot and three
young men who calculate to remain in the country if they meet with
sufficient encouragement I left home on the 16th of December and
came on the Nacogdosh where I was in hopes of meeting with you
on your return from N. Orleans— my Journey— has been quite
tedious and very unpleasant in some Respects which shall be
explained in due time— When we arrived on this River— a few
circumstances combined — induced Eliott to take a Canoe and
proceed to the Mouth of the River in hopes of meeting with you—
which he considers of vast importance to you as well as himself—
the fact is he is fearful that Rob Andrews will— by meeting with
you, blast the prospects he has of making a princely fortune— which
he calculates on— he heard at Mount Prairie that Andrews had
started with the expectation of Surveying the Land and he has
pushed so hard— that absolutely one of his horses gave out—from
that circumstance alone I shall remain here until I hear from you
Mr Eliott will leave his Tent and boy at this place until he either
meets with you— or gets information when he can— some
disagreeable circumstances that have taken place on the way between
Eliott and myself Render my situation somewhat unpleasant and I
am anxious to see you as soon as convenient I arrived at
Herculaneum from Kentucky in October and was taken with the Fever
which continued untill within a day or two before I started—
Mother was taken at the same time— but had recovered— partly
tho she was in low health— Sister was well and all your friends
generally—
Mr. Bartholomeu who will hand you this is a steady— moral and
Industrious Young Man From Derby Connecticut he is an
excellent Cooper by trade— he was to have been on with Father— and
attended on him during his last Illness— I want to see you very much
and have much to say to you— when we do meet
Jas. E. Austin [Rubric]
S. F. Austin
[Addressed:] Stephen F. Austin Esqr Mouth of the Colorado Mr
Bartholomeu.