Parras Augt. 23d 23
Dear Austin
I recd yours of the 9th July, and am sorry to hear that things are
not so flourishing as we all had desired, I would willingly add my
assistance, but at this time I find it impossible without doing myself
more harm than I could possibly do the colony good I have now
determined to make a trip to Orleans in order to bring on medicines,
in which I shall need your friendship, I shall leave here with about
400 dollars which is about enough for my expenses, and depend
entirely on a partnership or credit business in Orleans, in which case a
few lines from your hand to Mr. J. H. Hawkins would be of infinite
service, which you will probabily have an opportunity to send him
before I can arrive there—my whole object is Texas, but finding it
impossible to rais capital on credit for the enterprise I must make
use of every other industry to acquire that which will make me
usefull to myself and friends when I go there. I am very impatient to
commence my Hacienda on the Colorado, but do not like to begin
with my teeth and nails alone remember me to all the settlers, and
tell them that my heart and soul is with them and it is against my
will that my body is not also, but that when it goes I wish it to go
provided—one of my greatest pleasures is the anticipation of the
society of my old friends and countrymen in one of the most
delightfull countries in the world, and most particularly of one, for the
sake of whose company one week at this time I would willingly put
myself on the diet of catfish and wild onions without salt or greas,
again for a few days.
It is not worth the time to write me at this place as I shall set out
in a month if you write home let them know where I am—my
respecte to your brother and all other friends and acquaintances—I
hope to be in Orleans in all the month of October
R Andrews [Rubric]
[On cover:] In the absence of Mr. Austin, another friend may
open this letter
Andrews.