San Felipe de Austin 15th June 1826
My Dear Sister,
I have not written you since my return from the Interior owing
to a suitable conveyance not having presented itself And my being
compelled to go out on an Indian excursion shortly after my arrival—
We returned without being able to effect any thing owing to the
inclemancy of the season and the Indians having left their Villages'—
We apprehend no danger fron the Indians their numbers are too
small to harass us in any other way than by Stealing a few horses—
which they do occasionally— During my abscence my brother
received a letter from you dated in January last containing the
unpleasant intelligence of the loss of many of our friends—within the
last year, a loss more afflicting to us owing to the few that are left
of what was but a few years since a numerous and happy Circle—¦
I fear that by the time my Brother and myself can return to
Missouri we shall find but few of our old friends alive—
Our Colony is improving daily the emigration that has taken
place lately has been principally by water— Vessels arrive—or
touch at the mouth of this river frequently and two will ply
regularly between this and New Orleans; I entertain but little
doubt that a passage could be procured at almost any time; Should
Mr Perry wish to come out to visit the Country either this fall or
next spring I would advise him to come by water— The last
Vessel was only 5—-days from the City and three—from the Balize
to the mouth of the river.
Our crops are very promising this Season— Considerable
cotton will be made—which will be inferior to none made in any part
of the US— All that is wanting to make this the most desirable
part of the habitable Globe is a Sufficient population—which it
must have in a few years—
I am happy to hear that the boys improve, I hope you will not
neglect placing them as soon as they are old enough in a Situation
whereby they may acquire a thorough knowledge of business
Have you done any thing in the Durham Hall—business yet—?
what does Mr Perry think of the probability of recovering it— If
any thing is done I think it ought to be done immediately—
I have nothing more to communicate at present Brother is well—
I wish you to send out the work of Schoolcrafts it would be
gratifying to us to see it— Give my respects to all my old friends-
Kiss little Mary— and tell Jack his uncle will expect a letter from
him shortly— Before I close I must inform you of the death of
Thomas Alley he was unfortunately drowned -crossing the Brazos
on our last Campaign against the Indians—
Old Mr- Andrews was well the last time I heard from him—
I leave this on the 06-16-1826
for my place down the Brazos— probably
I shall not have an opportunity of writing you for Some
time— The Murderer of William Perry has not reached this part
of the Province yet— the last information I received he was on
Red River in Arkensas Terry—
Jas B. Austin [Rubric]
Mrs- Emily M Perry [Rubric]
P. S. I am not married yet and Stephen is further from it than
he was six months ago
JB A
your letter was truly welcome for I have not heard from you for
many months— you say nothing about moving— neither can I
give you any other advice on the subject, than what I have
heretofore said which is, that I wish Mr Perry to come and look for
himself before he determines— I am Satisfied to spend my life here,
but I should be much more so if you were with us— Our crops this
year are much more abundant than they have been since the Colony
commenced— the Season has been very favourable, if any thing
rather too wet, particularly the beginning of this month—
remember me to all friends and particularly Mrs. John Perry and all the
Perry family etc. write often and give all the Potosi news in
detail— we Still live in log cabins— rather poor, tho plenty of
corn Beef and Bacon— Kiss the Children for their uncle
Stephen
[Addressed:] Mrs Emily M. Perry Potosi Missouri Mail