We received your letter of the 17th of December last about ten days
since and at your request I now address you. Brown Austin started
from Herculaneum about the 3d day of November on the 23d of the
same month he wrote to us from Natchez— he had got there safe
and well and I expect he is with you long ere this. We are anxiously
looking every mail for a letter from him from Natchetoches. With
respect to your sister and myself moving to that Country we have
not yet come to any determination. I have some thoughts of visiting
your Colony and if I am pleased with it we may move there but I
have some Scrouples to surmount before, I can get my own
consent to leave my native Country, to leave the best Government in the
world for a strange Country and strange Laws causes cerious
reflections, but perhaps on visiting the country and becoming acquénted
with your Laws and your Government Settles down on Republican
principles as there is now every prospect that it will I may become
reconciled to change country. I will now state to you our prospects,
with industery and econemy I know we can make an independent
living here but I never expect to be able to live here in affluence or
to make a fortune. I beleive it was before you left this Country that
Samuel Perry and myself entered into partnership—he had all the
capital I get the one third of the profets. We are still doing
business, on the same footing, and we have made some money from a
rough calculation we made about a year ago I think I may safely
state that if a dividend was now made my part would amount to
from 8 to 10,000 Dollars in negroes goods money and Lands, which
would be a tolarable start in a new Country. Saml and Myself
have made no new arrangement since my marage but I expect we
will have to soon. I have not purchased a house yet as I dont wish
to purchase untill we determine where to settle permantly as I am
not fond of moving. Now I have gave you an Idea of our
curcumstances and prospects I wish you to write to me your Ideas of that
country both with regard to it[s] government and Laws and its
natural advantages do you think with what we could take with us
and with industry and economy that we could make a fortune in a
few years give us your opinion if you advise me I will visit your
colony but unless I thought we could better our cituation I would
rather live here as I feel much attached to our native country and
Laws, it would certainly be my wish to live near you if it could be
so for all our benefits. Chester Ashley is now in this country. I
have not yet seen him, but expect to see him before he returns and
will make inquiery respecting the little Rock Business. With respect
to the Mine A Burton Property I can not at this time give you much
satisfaction respecting it. Price and Ruggles and W. M and J
Perry, has a lawsute pending in the supreme Court respecting 250
acres which your Father conveyed to Ruggles and James Bryan to
secure them for being his security in Bank. Bryan sold his part to
W M and J Perry. Price obtained a judgment against Ruggles and
Perry for 3,500 Dollars it was removed to the Supreme Court and
will be tryed I expect in May next— Perry and Ruggles Lawyers
say that your Fathers Heirs could recover the whole or Part of the
tract so I am told but I intend consulting Judge Cook (who is one
of them and Knowes all about the situation of it) as soon as I can
see him and I will than give you a more satisfactory acfc of it. Our
Legislature is now in Session and has been ever since the 3d monday
in November and is not expected to rise before the 26th or 26th
Istant. they are reviseing the whole code of Laws and are making
many very material alterations whether for the better or worse time
will determine the last act we had from Saml Perry who is still a
member of the senate he states they had passed 140 laws and had 30
or 40 more to act on Your old Friend Judge Benton has been re-
elected to the U. S. Senate not with standing the most outrageous
Slander was circulated against him by his enemies Rectors, BentonGovnr Mc Nair and others it is not yet known who will be our next
President went to the house of RepresentativesJackson had the
highest vote Adams next and Crawford next Clay was left out
Crawfords friends have no hopes the contest will be between Jackson and Adams.
There is now here an agent to lease the U. S. Lead mines he has
granted some leases, the miners are not willing to Submit he
leases under a Law of 1807 which is thought here does not autherise
the leasing of them, if his leases are inforsed it will make a great
alteration in the Lead business I think for the worse the leases
are for 3 years. Mrs Henry Elliott is in this place teaching school
from her present prospects she expects to have a large School
against next summer. She wishes to be remembered to you. Your
Sister and Children are well Joel and Austin are going to School
Guy and Mary Grow finely. Write to us by every oppertunity
as we are always anxtious to here from you. Wm and Jn° Perry
are well Will has no wife and John has no Children. Mrs Sam1
Perry has been in St Louis all winter with her Daughter Mrs FarrisSam1 writes to us offin they are all well a Brother of the Handy
which Saml Shot made an attempt to Shoot Saml in St Louis not
long since but Saml jumped in on him and took his pistol from
[him] prevented him from shooting and let him go again. Old
Bissel and Price are Blamed for seting him on. Emily joins me
in our Best wishes for your wellfare and prosperity also give our
best respect to your Brother Brown and permit me to subscribe
myself your Brother