San Felipe de Austin Augt. 21, 1826

Dr Sister,

I embrace the opportunity by Col. Matson to drop you a line, he has promised to stay one night at Mr Perrys and as he has seen a good deal of this country he can give you information relative to it— Brother has taken a trip into the interior about six hundred miles and I do not expect him back before January, he started three weeks ago and I have heard from him once, he was well—the affairs of the colony are going on tolorably well tho imigration is not very rapid we have had some difficulties with the Indians which no doubt are very much magnified abroad, they are not serious and I think will soon terminate, the tribe that troubles us is not over 200 strong and their depredations are confined to stealing horses, you need not be at all uneasy about any reports you hear on this subject—we have had some sickness owing to an unusual wet season, tho but few deaths and those confined to new comers—

The constitution of this State will be finished shortly and when I see it I can give Mr Perry more certain advice as to the prospect of a removal here, and untill then I do not wish him to derange his business where he is by making any preparations for a removal—

I have heard by report that the suit between Price and Sam1 Perry has been decided in favor of Perry—if so does it not fully decide the principle that the whole Estate can be recovered? I have not heard from you since the 8 of January and feel very anxious to know the particulars—My prospects of making a fortune here are bad, I shall be but poorly compensated tho. expect to pay my debts and make a comfortable support for my old age—If brother succeeds in procuring Stock as he expects and which is the object of his journey I shall settle down on a stock farm and perhaps follow the example of Mr Perry and hunt a jolly old widow to comfort me in my old age—The truth is that both brother and myself are too much unsettled as yet to trammel ourselves with a family, or one of us would no doubt have been married before this—

Mr Andrews and family and the Allys are all well and appear very well contented—I think it probable that slavery will not be allowed in this country, tho the constitution will decide it, and as soon as I know the result I will write you—

We have most extraordinary crops this year corn is plenty at 25 cents, pork and Beef is also cheap and abundant, our cotton is of a superior quality and produces very well the average highth of cotton on the bottom lands is from 9 to 12 feet and yields generally 2500 to 3000 pounds to the acre

We are begining to have some little trade with Orleans, tho not much as yet.

Kiss all the children for me and be sure and make business men of them, learn them some occupation or profession that will support them through life—I am not in a situation to take any of them yet, and it is rather uncertain when I shall be

I have nothing very particular to write as you perceive—your letters must have miscarried for I have not heard from you since Jany except by report of travellers which informed me of your health—

Remember me to my old friend Mrs John Perry and her husband and all the Perrys and all other friends and write oftener— your brother

S. F. Austin

[Addressed:] Mrs. Emily M. Perry Mine á Burton Washington County Missouri Col. Matson