Dr Sir

I received yours of the 18th inst by Mr. Smith son in law to Ellis. I am very sorry to hear that you do not recover your health I am sure that your confinement at San Filipe tends greatly to retard the recovery of your health and I would advise you by all means to go into the woods this winter and to arrange your business so as to take a trip to the U. States, next summer a trip of that kind would be of great service to you I have no doubt and I see no reason why you should not take some time to yourself after serving seven years apprenticeship to the Colonizing trade, but to say the least it is nessisary for you to leave the office if it is only for a change of business I know that you have become tired of being cursed by persons who have received the most favours by your exertions and at your hand but you know it is the way of the world those who are most Virtuous or most patient are not known until they are tried therefore I suppose it is nessisary to give them a trial I think that you have been tried sufficeintly to retire a short time from trial make these men who want land now pay up and those who are oweing you on the old colony pay they may grumble some but let them do so they will do it at any rate;—

you observed that you thought you had had written a cross letter Just before you started to me if so I never have received it I have never received a letter from you saying that you were going to San Antonio if I had received such a letter from you I would have concluded that you were Scolding for my own benefit or giveing me good advise I never have received the cross letter—

You asked my opinion concerning the Situation of Eliza had I not expected you here long before this I would have given it to you at San Felipe When I was last there she has been positive about keeping house by herself untill lately within a few days she has been living with us at my house where she will always be welcome if she can make herself so I think that she has discovered the many difficulties that would attend the house keeping or living by herself. She says that she never will go home to her Fathers House on any account and will not hear a word about the matter— I have advised it to her as the most prudent step and I thought the Most pleasant to herself but when she read the letter which you wrote to her and sent by me she said in the most positive manner that she never would live with her parents again now if she can content herself at my House I think it will be best to move the log house unfinished on my lot and finish it for her to live in if you think so I will do it but when the Commissioner leaves there I wish you would take a few days time and come down here then we can settle upon some plan for future operation, if there is any porter in the Vessel I will have some for you I wish you to come soon that some arrangement Can be made with Harris at the Gin the business will not detain you more than three or four days at this and the Gin, Mr Westall has an account for Boarding I do not know the amount I presented his Bill and have not yet settled with him on account of the Bill he has against yourself and Brother he will present it when Called upon I intend to allow it should he present it before I see you as I suppose he would not bring a wrong bill I wish that you would make some of those persons who are oweing you pay up in produce or Cotton if they would do so I want the use of some money untill I can collect I wish to pay all demands in Orleans as soon as possible—

Nothing new the vessel has not yet arrived

John Austin [Rubric]

Col. S. F. Austin—