Prov. Texas
Groces Retreat June 3d 1825.
My Dear Sister.
I receivd your welcome letter under date of 10th of April, while on
a visit to this place and hasten to answer it, before I leave this;
as opportunities more frequently occur from here, than San Felipe
Not long since I wrote you; and Stephen at the same time
forwarded an answer to Mr. Perry's letter, which no doubt you will
receive in due time— You mention that a letter from Stephen dated
in Decemr. last which you received, gave you more Satisfaction
(with respect to his reconciliation, of your choice of a partner) than
any before received, on that subject. Let me assure you My dear
Sister that he is not only reconciled but pleased, much pleased, with
your Choice—knowing as he does, that you would not take so impor-
tant a step without consulting your happiness; The only objects dear
to us on this Earth being yourself and lovely little family, rest assured
whenever you are happy we shall be perfectly so—Our Brother
seems to think, owing to the yet infant state of the Settlement that
it would not be altogether advisable, for Mr. P. to remove to this
country, at present—there is nothing he could do, that would be
advantageous to him, for some years to come—tho I hope the
country will so far improve in the course [of] a very [few] years, that
it will attract the attention of Mr. Perry—and be so much to his
interest that he will be induced to relinquish the cold and unfriendly
Climate of Mo. for the more mild and salubrious one of Texas, where
I think the mildness of the Climate tends in some degree to Soften
the feelings of Man and render him more like a natural Being—
Indeed my dear Emily it certainly, will be " the most joyful period
of our lives" when we can embrace our Sister with " peace and
plenty " smiling around us after the many vicissitudes we have passed
through for the last Six years—The time is not far distant, if our
lives are spared, when the fond vision will be realized.
I am happy to hear Cousin Adeline has changed the name of
Bates for that of Lewis, and also that she has so soon commenced
housekeeping, may her life be long—prosperous and happy—and
may " misfortune not mark her for her one." You will greet her
with a kiss for me when you meet her—You were " pleased and
provoked " at my brevity in one of my last letters, and think that I can
never be at a loss for a subject when writing to my Sister—You will
please to excuse that letter and I will try and be more prolix in future.
I must have been in one of my Lazy Moods when I wrote—Stephen
has not gone to the City of Saltillo, probably he will not go untill
fall, as he is fully determined to close the affairs of the Colony
before he makes his return to Govt, he can obtain the settling of
500 or 600 families more, by making application—Everything goes
on finely; not withstanding the unfavorable season we have had,
good crops will be made— The Priest will be on in a few days to
organize a church and attend to our spiritual affairs—Draw no
conclusions from the date of my letter I am merely on a visit of a few
days, because I pass my time so heavy at home—and also, because
it is a pleasure to visit a family I esteem so highly as I do this.
Present my respects to Brother James—and kiss my charming little
niece, tell the Boys to study hard, and uncle will not forget any of
them Brother sends his love Your Affectionate Brother
Jas. E. B. Austin
I forgot to mention in one of my former letters that Robt Andrews
was dead He has been dead nearly a year
(Addressed:) Mrs. Emily M. Perry Mail Potosi, Missouri