New Orleans Feby 22nd. 1836

Col S. F. Austin Washington

Dr. Sir

I have intended answering your letter to me from N. Orleans but have realy been at a loss how to begin finding from circumstances which I will satisfactorily or at least clearly explain to you if ever again we should meet that you and I must sever totaly in any thing of a political character and having always shown to you my partialities for you and your opinions from my conduct toward you I shall be equaly frank in saying to you that my confidence in you is I think for ever at an end I am not your enemy and trust never will be but at the same time I am now fully convinced that you can not be any thing else but an injury to your country where you have influence. I have warned you of dangers which were preparing for you but shall never again raise my voice in your defence or warn you of any thing which may come to my knowledge against you If you are ruined it shall not be my fault nor will I ever be found to take any part in your fate or your fortune all the diffculty I have ever had in that country has been on your account. I do not intend to say you are dishonest no Sir but you are from your nature useless in any thing like a public capacity and your illusions and remarks in that letter to me from N. Orleans are_____

You will verry probably find yourself unsustained in your pledges for Texas declaring Independence

Thos. F McKinney