Robert Andrews to Stephen F. Austin, 09-05-1823


Summary: Plans for business in Texas. The Viesca family at Parras.


Parras, Sept 5th 1823.

Dear Austin

I had the satisfaction to receive your letters of the 9th and 24 July dated in Bexar, but you speak of one from Monterrey by private conveyance which I never recd, that of the 9th I answered by last mail supposing that you have an arangement made to convey letters from Bexar to the Collorado.

I am extreemly happy to hear that the all essential article corn is likely to be plenty among you, and particularly that Ally has a good share for I feel in my heart for those adventurors, who must necessarily have suffered much

I am sorry to find myself so situated that I cannot accompany you in the woods, but such are the circumstances that it is not in my power, it is true that my whole heart and soul is in Texas, that I look forward with delight to the time when I shall be planted amongst a number of confidential friends on the orilla of the Colorado, but I am of opinion that the shortest method to obtain this, and to place me in the situation to be useful and comfortable, is to persue my present object which may produce something with which to begin I would willingly accept the offer you make but that I would have to spend money continually without receiving any for some time, and the life of a surveyor is so hard, that he ought always to have a certainty in view—My present object is a trip to Orleans altho I take only money for my expenses, jet I hope to do something for this reason I am desirous that you should write a few lines to Mr J. H. Hawkins conserning me. I shall probabilly have leave here the first of October and be in Orleans some time in November, if I succeed I shall return immediately, if not I know not what I shall do, my subsequent movements will always depend on circumstances In this place I am the intimate friend and daily companion of the family named Viesca one of whom you seen perhaps with Dr Ramos in Saltillo, this family is rich, large, respectable, learned, sensible, and honorable, they believe not in this d—d foolish religion and possess two very fine libraries of miscellaneous and scientific Books, two of the sons talk of going with me, but it is uncertain yet-—more than all, I believe I could marry a little niece about 14 years of age, but she is not well educated and her part will not be more than 10000—the whole connection is free from Indian blood—at all points I shall be happy to hear from you, and assure you that nothing can give me more pleasure than the flattering prospects of a friend whom to me is so dear. I flatter myself that Providence will reward your indefatigable perseverance and industry tho we know well that these works of providence depend at present on this confused and instable govt-—Zacatecas has declared herself as independent as Great Britton, but it is understood that Negrete will use the weighty argument of lead and powder to prove to them that they are rong.

Andrews [Rubric]

[Addressed:] Al Caronel Sr Dn Estevan Austin Bexar ó el Rio Colorado Texas