New Orleans 3. June 1824.
Colo. S. F. Austin
Dear Sir, Your letter dated the 20 April has just reached me
thro' the post office—and I have particularly noted the contents—
I have wrote you several times by persons going to the Province
Since the death of our much lamented friend Hawkins, giving an
account of the moneys he has Expended in Effecting the object,
now under consideration—and still hope some of my letters may
get safe to hand—
The amount which appears to have been so appropriated by him
Exceeds Thirty Thousand dollars—this includes the purchas of
Vessells, Cargoes, and disbursements to officers and seamen—Loans
to individuals traveling to and from the grant, who are unknown
to me, and lost to his Heirs Except as a charge to the grant—
payments made to you and on your draft—and the dreadfull Item of
Usurious Interest to money Brokers for loans at difft times—
After the death of our friend Mrs. Hawkins made up her mind to
return to Kentucky, leaving with me full power and authority to
transact all business connected with the Estate of her deceased
Husband upon which she administered, and so far I have done all I
could do in Settling the Estate, but which from the nature of the
obligations of Mr Hawkins leaves but little to do, for he had
mortgaged all his real property and the furniture was under Execution
at the time of his death—
I fully approve the resolution you have adopted with regard to
the Texas property, for it would now only be sacrificed if put in
his name, and pay none of the Debts—for I do not beleive if the
whole grant was put up at auction a Sale could be effected for One
Hundred dollars—Therefore the only plan wh. can avail Mrs
Hawkins and her children is the one you have adopted—and the time
may come when it may make them independent—
I would answer your Enquires as to a Vessell for the purpose of
communicating with the Brasos if I could do So with any degree
of Satisfaction—I should however suppose one of 30 to 40 Tons
might be had for 1000 or 1200 $ pble [payable] one half Cash and
the balance at 6 or 8 months—but I have so little intercourse with
the Lake craft that my statemt is founded on uncertainty-
General Wilkinson has not yet returned to Louisiana, nor do we
expect him for some months yet—he remains as he says in letters
to his wife and Son, to close the accounts of Individuals who put
claims into his hands for advances to the Republic many years ago,
and which from all I can learn remain as much unsettled as the
day he reached Mexico
Nath. Cox.