Herculaneum March 4th 1822
Brother Stephen
Sir I have just arrived here and find Mr Andrews on the eave of
departure and he is bound for the Colorado, Province of Texas and
I have only time to say to you we are all in tolerable health at
present, and full of anxiety to hear from you and James, we have not
had any letters from you since you left Nachacdosh, I have seen
Majr Calloway he is much pleased with the Country and prospects
he told me that twenty Families would move from His settlement.
I can assure you that a great Number of Families will move from
this State, and from other States. I have no doubt that the Colony
will be filed up in twelve Months I will forward you some
Provisions and some other articles shortly, would off sent on by
Andrews if I had been apprised of the time of his departure I am
making my arrangements for to Move, in all the Month of October I
expect to Start if all does well here and with you—I have enclosed
to Hawkins a Note on Epedian V. B [mutilated] for $500, and
requested him to make the Collection and placed it to your Credit,
and I have also, sold to Thos Eads a number of Articles to the
amot of $1000, make payable to you one half in six Months the other
half in twelve Months payable in New Orleans, and I will make
some other arrangements in your favour and will take it in Land
and improvements from you in Texas—Majr Callow[ay] Stated to
me that there was a fine Grove of pine on the Colorado and a Bank
of Stone Coal I wish you to have the best Mill Seat selected in the
Colony for me, where there is good timber etc—I have made
arrangements with Parmer to go on and improve it—he will Start
in three Months—and I will Send a Workman with him if you can
git any person that can be relied on please attend to have this
selection made and a Grand [grant?] according to the merit of such
an Establishment—I will make the best arrangements here I can for
you and myself. I have settled with Hearst, and will with all
Others before I leave—I hope these will meet you and Brother
James in good health and Powell and Bartholomew and hope you
are prospering in the Establishment etc please write me fully by
every oppertuniiy all your relatives are in good health here Your
well wisher
J Bryan [Rubric]
[Addressed:] Stephen F. Austin Esqr Colorado Provence of Texas
Attention Capt Andrews