Jackson La August 17 1828
Dear Sir:
The object of my writing you is to ascertain the prospects
your colony offers-—to the young and enterprising When quite
young I had the pleasure of knowing you at Potosi where my father
continues to reside, five years ago I left home for the purpose of
educating myself with those means only which industry Supplied—
last March the degree of Doctor of medicine was conferred upon me
by The Transylvania school, and am now engaged in the practice
of my profession— the patronage extended to me is quite flattering
to one of so utile experience as myself—
But the time for accumulating a fortune in this country by the
practice is past, and with it the only inducement the country ever
offered to emigrants—
what is the size of San Filipe de Austin, its distance from the
gulf from the city of Mexico and from Natchidoches the number of
inhabitants in your colony, and the density of the population—
the Health and the prospect a Physician would realize. I am well
aware how much I trespass upon your time—upon your kindness—
in inviting your attention to Subjects interesting to myself alone—
I cannot offer in palliation the kindness—your family has always
extended to mine, nor the marked friendship of your late excellent
mother towards myself to her admonition am I more indebeted than
to any other human being for the resuscitation from that state of
obscurity, into which the early pecuneary misfortunes of my family
had thrown me.—
You are already apprised of the unhappy state into which political
Schism has thrown our republic— in S Carolina open oposition is
threatened to the tariff how far their threat will be carried into
effect we can form no idia. their leading Politicians take a
promenent stand with the opposition, verry considerable doubt exists of
the relection of Mr Adams—. I cannot but hope there is a
redeeming spirit in the land which will counteract the effects of military
deeds upon the deluded multitude—
The Respects of an old Schoolfellow to you Brother
W. A. Ficklin
Mr. S F Austin
H K Schoolcraft Esqr A Scientific gentleman who for a
considerable time during your absence resided with your father has
received a high appointment by government in a Southern Exploring
expedition