Parras Apl 19th 1823
Dear friend Stephen
It is now some time since I recd a letter from you, it is six weeks
since I left Saltillo, but having no information of your having passed
there, I presume you are in Mexico yet to which place I direct this
letter, believing that you understand your business, and knowing
the confused state of public affairs I have no idea you will leave
there soon - I will say but little untill I receive your answer - I am
in good health but doing a very slender business, I intend to go to
Durango in a month or two if nothing particular takes place, but
shall be here long enough to receive your ansr I am a candidate
of the office of surveyor in the province of Texas, if a removal should
take place which might be the case the reasons I advance in my
letter to the Revd Doctr Dn Miguel Ramos de Arispe who is my
friend are the following—all the necessities of running the surveys
according to the true meridian which must be ascertained by the
surveyor in sd province - of calculating the contents by Lat. and
depart. the only true method, likewise the ability of the surveyor to
do all this, keep his records in Spanish, speak English and attend
personally to the work, all of which are very assencial to the peace
and quietude of the inhabitants and consequently to government,
to do all this, to the satisfaction of Govt and the people, I pledge
my [self], your friendship in this can be of much service - seeing
that my profession can do but little for me in the country I have
thought sometimes of establishing myself on a farm near the falls
on the Collorado with about 20 of those labouring Indians but I am
in much hesitation what to do, I wish to hear from you very much
concerning your ideas prospects etc. If the Doct. Hamos should be
in Mexico I wish very much you would seek an acquaintance with
him, the first introduction to which may be a visit on my part with
my best wishes for his health etc. which I believe is the mode of the
country - you will be pleased with him no doubt and my particular
friend Ximenes del Rio who must never be forgotten if he should be
with the Doct. or in the House of Mrs. Odonohu where he hitherto
lived for he is an excellent youth
Andrews [Rubric]
[Addressed:] A Sr. Dn Estefan F Austin Mexico