New Orleans 29th June 1822
Dear Sir
I arrived here some time since with a view to Visit your
settlement in Texas unfortunately I have not been able to procure a
passage and no prospect, when I would be able to get a vessel bound
to your place togeather with the unfavourable season of the year has
determd me to return home and to Visit your country so soon as
I may here from you—I enclose you herewith 2 letters of Introduction
from Henry Clay Esqr and Thos. P Hart of Lexington Kty the place
of my residence also a letter from the Texas emigrating society, it
would be particularly gratifying to our Society as well as my self
to have a discription of your Country soil water climate timber etc,
navigation—commerce, and will actual settlers be allowd to hold their
Slaves in Bondage will the Settlers be allowd to worship their god
agreeable to the dictates of their own minds etc, or will they be compd
to acknowledge the Catholic religion as the supreme religion of the
land what are the probable number of families now settled in your
grant and where from what articles of Produce or Merchandize
are prohibited and what articles would you advise those imigrating
or visiting to bring with them— please write me on Recept of this
and be assd sir that whatever information you may give me will be
not only acknowledged by myself but will be greatfully acknowledged
by the society.
Accept my best wishes for your health and Prosperity
Elijah Noble [Rubric]
[Addressed:] The Honl. Stephen F. Austin Austins Settlement
Texas Care of Jos H Hawkins Esq