New Lebanon Sept. 23.1827
Dear Sir
Your letter under date of 16 July last announcing the intelligence
of the decease of my dear brother George Smith has reached me.
The melancholly tidings contained in your letter though I had longed
feared its arrival, does notwithstanding deeply affect my heart.
Though fully apprized of the fatal nature of the malady with which
my deceased brother was affected yet upon the arrival of the
melancholly news of his death, I found that I had entertained more hope
of his recovery than I was conscious of. I hoped to have seen him
once more on earth—to have clasped him in my arms, and to have
mingled my tears with his. These hopes are now utterly blasted,
still I have a hope of a meeting with my departed brother, that is
inconceivably more precious and charming to the soul, than every
earthly hope united—it is the hope of meeting him in heaven. The
tenor of several of his last letters to me indicated a mind deeply
impressed with a sense of the uncertainty of every earthly thing,
and the infinite importance of being prepared for the retribution of
eternity. A more particular account of his temper and views in his
last days would have been highly gratifying, whether he gave
evidence of a sanctified heart and leaned upon the arm and trusted in
the righteousness and blood of Jesus Christ the only mediator
between a holy God and guilty man—These things I take to be
implied in his remark "that his last moments, were devoted to his
God," but if the account had been more full in relation to some
particulars it would have been very pleasing to me. Perhaps it may
be convenient to write me hereafter on these points. I feel under
lasting obligations to you for your kindness to my deceased brother,
but I exceedingly regret the calamity, that eight months should
transpire after his death before I received the melancholly
intelligence.
You observe that my brother made a will and that you are his
executor. In the days of my prosperity I advanced considerable
sums to assist my brother George to an education which has never
been refunded. I suppose my legal claim upon my late beloved
brother, at the time he left this part of the world was a thousand
dollars. If therefore any thing can be saved for me justice seems to
demand it. Should there be a tract of land I hope it will be such an
one as to induce me to go to Texas as a residence. This my brother
George once had in view (my removal to Texas) and it is possible it
may yet be effected. Please to write me as soon as possible after you
have closed the concern of my brothers state.
Phineas Smith
[Addressed:] James B. Austin Esqr. San Felipe de Austin (Texas)
Care of Stephen F Austin Esq. by way of Nachitoches (Lou)