San Felipe de Austin 24th March [May] 1827.

My Dr Sister.

A considerable period has elapsed since I had the pleasure of receiving a letter from my dear Emily—Can an absence of only a few years, entirely have obliterated from her memory a Brother she onced loved! What can be the cause of her long silence ? perhaps she is so much engaged in her domestic duties that she cannot "steal" time to devote a few leisure moments to her Brown, Excuse me sister for reproaching you for your negligence for I assure you I have been much hurt at your long silence. You perhaps think I am hardly justifiable, in blaming you for a fault you think I am equally censurable for but on this point I can satisfy you—For the last year I have been absent from the Colony—and in a country where there was no mode of conveying a letter to the U. S—Shortly after my arrival I wrote you from Nacogdoches, and since then I have been anxiously expecting a letter from you—

You have no doubt heard long since, the happy termination of the disturbances on this frontier and the conspicuous part Our Brother acted in bringing to a close so unnatural rebellion—At this time the utmost harmony prevails in every part of this country, and so far we are blessed with a prospect of a plentiful harvest in a healthy season,

We are not entirely forgotten by our friends in the north a few days since we received a lenthy letter from Henry Austin dated in New York—Stephen has answered it and recommen[d]ed him to come and see the Country and I think he will be out in the fall— My sole wish is to see our scattered family once more United and I think there is some little prospect of their being so provided Henry is pleased with the Country

I have nothing new to communicate—we have a prospect of a considerable emigration from Ohio next fall—

Our State constitution is to be published in this place on the 29th. inst it is an excellent one—no slaves are permitted to be introduced 6 months after its publication, which will give until the 29th of next November to introduce them—No person can be born a slave in this State after the publication of the Constitution. If there are any persons in your part of the Country having Slaves, that wish to remove here—hurry them on before the expiration of the time—

I wish you to write me a lengthy letter and give me all the Neighbourhood news Any thing is interesting to me at this immense distance from you. Tell me something about Elias's family. Mary —Adaline—Eliza—and Maria—remember me to them affectionately I never hear from them—I suppose they have forgotten me too. Moses has lost a fortune by not comeing out to this Country in time— tho it is not too late—if he comes by fall—Remember me affectionately to my little Nephews and kiss my dear little " blue eyed Mary " for me—My respects to Mr Perry—brother sends his love to you and will write you by this opportunity—

Jas B Austin [Rubric]

[Addressed:] Mrs. Emily M. Perry Potosi, Mail Missouri