New Orleans 21. April 1825

Col Stephen F. Austin

Dear sir The Bearer of this Mr Kerr is from Missouri and moving to your Country with all his family, both [White?] and Black—he has been here some time waiting a passage— As we have never Exactly understood the nature of your laws relative to Slavery I could not answer many of Mr Kerrs inquiries on that head, but have assured him slaves have been taken there and held— I hope will find no difficulty with his, as it would ruin an helpless family should he loose them. Mr Kerr has been only known to me a few weeks but I am fully convinced he is a worthy man, and I hope he will be found a Valuable Citizen of your infant Republic-

Genl. Lafayette has just left us. You will learn from Mr Kerr with what enthusiast he was received among us—he has gone to St Louis I have not heard from Mrs Hawkins very lately—

Nath: Cox