Brazoria 26 August /31
My dear Sir,
My health is so far restored that I am on my way to the mouth
of the River for shells for my buildings and have hopes I have
conquered the desease— I have been extremely anxious about you
and [your] Sister's family, the fever is so prevalent that
travelling in such intense heat as we have had is extremly hazardous,
to persons unacclimated and even to you who are so hardy— John
has brought on fever by riding in the sun but is nearly recovered—
It positively will not do for either myself or Mr Perry to think of
keeping our familys in this part of the country in the summer
months, the insects alone would drive them mad. They have
operated upon me at Bolivar like a perpetual blister. I wish much
to accompany you to the upper country when you go. I beg you
will advise me of your movements— at present I have five men
under pay till the 10th proxo and as nothing is done unless I am
present, I do not wish to leave until then, still should you go
sooner I would endeavour to join you.
I had hopes you would have taken your Sisters family to Coles
Settlement until the heats were over, would it not be best for
them to go there now ?—
Should you come to Brazoria do me the favor to let me know
when, if oppy offers for Bolivar
I have a letter from Ware altho he had no accounts from me he
had contracted for Machinery with the intention of working it in
Louisiana in case my report should be unfavorable for Texas, the
advise of the failure of a house in Orleans whose paper he held for
10600$ payable 1 June here caused him to suspend the contract
until he could ascertain the result of that and his other N Orleans
papers this being part of the sum appropriated to Texas
Speculations, his letter was obviously written at the moment of receiving
the unpleasant news, as he seems to consider all his Orleans paper
in Jeopardy— so much for lending Money at 12 prct—the receipt
of my letters and ascertaining the actual extent of loss will probably
put him in better spirits
My best regards to Emily and Compes to Mr Perry—I will
indeavour to visit St Felepe by the middle of Septr at all events
H Austin [Rubric]
[Addressed:] Col S F Austin St Felepe