To Col. Stephen F. Austin
Respected Sir The Alcaldas of this District have been pleased
to confide to me the office of Constable and in making out bills of
cost I have invariably charged (except in case of warrants where I
was commanded to find the body and bring it forthwith) mileage
from the office of the Alcalde to the place of residence of the person
summoned whether I found him at home or elsewhere—this is complained of by some though I thought hardly any rule was more
uniformly and universally established—As we are about to fall
under your jurisdiction and such matters will sooner or later be
refered to you I request that you will do me the favour to state
to me whether I have misconceived the rule or not and if I have erred
to state what the rule is—
Atascosito District Nov. 14th 1826
Joseph W. Brown
P. S. I know not who will be the bearer of this letter but if he
returns to this District I pray you will send an answer to my request
by him—
J. W. B.