Natchitoches, Nov. 20th 1824
Col. Austin,
Dear Sir, I Received your note by Mr. E. Allcorn, on the 5th
Inst, and have Complied with your Bequest. I let him have the
amount of Eighty three Dollars and five Bits in Diferent Stores of
this Place. Such as Blankets, etc etc etc which he wanted for
your Self, and others, then Mr Allcorn and McTire thought of going
Down to Rappid as Steam Boats could not get up above there they
left this and went Out to McGuffins and stayed out there the next
week, then I Received a letter from your Brother James, with your
Letter Enclosed in it, the letter your Brother James wrote me
mentioned nothing about when he would Start from Mina Burton, and
I wrote to Mr. Allcorn and told him if he felt himself Authorized he
could come in and Read the Letters as it was of great consequence
to know when your Brother was acoming on as he was at great
Expence here, I hope I have not done wrong By So doing god knows I
done it for the Best, then Mr. Allcorn thought it adviseable to
Return Back and wished to know if I did not think it Best to take out
Some articles to you, Such as he would name I told him I would get
them for you, and he named Over thes articles following which I
have Sent Out to you in his Waggon besides the other articles he
took before
1 Barrel of Whiskey 33 1/2 gals 5/__________________ $20. 93 3/4
1 Barrel of Flour___________________________________ 10. 00
Part of a Barrel Buiscuit___________________________ 6. 00
20 Carrots of tobacco______________________________ 10. 00
40 lbs Sugar at 15c_________________________________ 6. 00
20 lbs Coffee at 40c________________________________ 8. 00 two Bags
4 Lbs Chocolate_____________________________________ 1. 50 for Sugar
1 Trunk_____________________________________________ 4. 00 and Coffee
6 and 8 penny Nails 40 Lbs at 15?___________________ 6. 00 75c
2 Pair Shoes _______________________________________ 5. 00
_______________________
$77. 43 $78.18
I would have Loaded the waggon but it was not in my Power at
this time I have Like wise made you a Present of 1 quarter Box of
the Best Spanish Sigars and a Lot of gardenseeds the Best I could
find and a number of Other articles which I put in another Sigar Box
which I thought would be of use to you, and a great number of news
Papers of the Lates Dates, and I inclose the Letter your Brother
wrote in this Package I wish you would write me when you Receive
the articles and whether you get them all will you be good enough
to forward Mr. George Smith a few of these news Papers after you
have Don Reading of them, when an opportunity offers and you will
much Oblige your friend
J Cable
Pr Mr Allcorn