S Louis May 16th 1826
Col. Stephen F. Austin
Dear Sir Previous to your deceased father's visit to the
province of Texas—I advanced him some funds—which on his return to
this State acknowledged—that is was partly through my
befrending him in this instance, he was enabled to procure the greater part
of his Grant—which has since been confirmed to you—on his return
I made him still farther advances, and supplys for his family—the
sum total of the advances I made him—amounts to Two hundred
and sixty nine dollars and Ten cents for which sum, on his last visits
to this place, he executed to me his note, at Eighteen months after
date, say April 14th 1821—and made said note payable with interest,
in the City of New Orleans—It was solely at his request that the
Note was made payable at so distant a period—and after unfolding
to me his reasons—which were, that having obtained the grant, he
would if his life was sparred, be enabled by that time, to get many
settlers on the tract—and without doubt, would be enabled to settle
the same. He also made me handsome overtures to take a [part]
of the grant with him—but my business at that time being so
extensive, I could not otherways do, than to decline his proposition-
Since that time, partly inconsequence of the change in the course of
trade—and having a large amount creditted out—the greater part of
which is Totally lost forever—and having to meet my own
engagements—my situation became truly allarming to such a degree—(that
without being compelled to take the benifit of the insolvent laws)
I stripped myself of everything—and now am a[s] poor as a beggar—
not in any kind of business—not a dollar to my name, and supporting
myself, barely, by doing jobs of writing etc., for others—since my
situation has been such—One freind has loaned me, whenever he had
—and I am indebted to him—borrowed money, which he stands in
great need off—
I have been induced from my own personal acquaintance with
you, and from observations made by several of your freinds—to
apply to you—to discharge the note—and I do feel the most
confident assurance that after taken all the circumstances in view, I
shall not be disappointed in my expectations—you are now the
possessor of a grant, that was formally given to your Father—who
stated to me previous to his death, that it was pretty much through
my intrementality, that he obtained the grant—I am well apprized
that in consequence of the different changes of Government which
have taken place in the republic of New Mexico, since your father
visit to that place, that you must have had, a tedious and irksome
undertaking to have got the grant fully settled this your freinds
have told me is the present case, and, say that you have obtained an
additional one, adjoining—My dear Sir, you have my best wishes for
you[r] success and prosperity—and had I been in possession of the
means, I would have visited your colony before this—For Heavens
sake let me hear from you as early after the receipt of this, as may
be convenient—and I conclude, by trusting with the flattering hope
that you will communicate to me the pleasing information that—This
debt of your fathers will be discharged by his son—since whose death.
I have taken no step towards its liquidation—
Expecting to have the pleasure of hearing from you—I am dear
Sir. your poverty stricken, but your warm freind
S. E. Ober
Address Saml E. Ober. St. Louis, Missouri