Alexandria. Loui Nov. 29 1824

Sir,

I had formerly the honour in Missouri to be known to your late father, and to have been introduced to you, when, I believe, a member of the legislature of the then territory. The impressions, that remain of that acquaintance, and of conversations with my lamented friends the late Mr Elliot of St Genevieve, and Col Hawkins of N. Orleans, embolden me to make a request, which after all, I feare, you will think extraordinary, teased, as I presume you are, with numberless requests of a similar nature. But, perhaps, when you shall have read my motives, you may think of my request with more indulgence.

I have resided, as a missionary, and as an instructor, ten years in different points of the valley of the Missisippi; two years of which have been spent in different parts of this state. At the request of many respectable friends, I am about to publish a work, entitled recollections of ten years spent in the valley of the Missisippi The very great interest, that your settlement, and the province of Texas excites in this country, and elsewhere, induces me to wish to append to my remarks upon this state and the territory of arkansas, some authentic notices of the adjoining country of the provincias internas. No person, I presume, is so well qualified to impart that information, as yourself. If you would have the goodness, by as early a conveyance to this place as may suit your convenience, to give me some notices of your country, and of your observations generally in Mexico, it would be to me the highest favor; and, possibly as various and contradictory representations of the advantages, and disadvantages of emigration to your country, have gone abroad authentick information by one, who has always hitherto taken the favourable side in this discussions, may not be disadvantageous to the interest of the Settlement.

The points upon which information is most earnestly desired are limits, form of the coast, soil climate health—government and tenure of lands etc. But I would be exceedingly thankful for any kind of information upon your province, and the country generally. I am promised from some very respectable gentleman notes upon the ill fated expedition of Toledo. I would be glad of your views upon that subject, as well, as the expedition of Long. In short, any thing from you, or any authentic information from any source, would be most thankfully accepted.

If my declining health admit, I expect to go next summer to Boston to publish the work and in the mean time, Another gentleman and myself have talked strongly, if my avocations will admit, of taking a journey to your Settlement. Should you grant me the favour desired, I shall have, in that case, an opportunity of thanking you in person. And should I not have that pleasure, I shall still be

gratefully and respectfully your friend and hum servt.

Timothy Flint,

Stephen H. Austin, Esq.