Brazoria 12th June 1831

Col S. F. Austin

Dr Sir

I take the liberty of droping you a line by Mr. Wm Austin my health being very delicate prevents me from addressing you personally. I arrived here from Georgia the latter part of February with fifty odd Slaves, but understanding you were absent from St Phillipe, I have not yet applied for any Land, I have been respectably informed your disposition has been, to encourage those, that bring into your Collony a large disposible force. I will feel grateful to you to select and reserve for me one of the most valuable Leagues you have to dispose of. Common report says, that Doctor Phelps has forfeited his League, should that be the facts, I beg of you (if in your power) to give it to me, but should the Government alone have the disposal of it, you will oblige me by useing your influence in my favor. I am now living at the Gin Place, and that tract of land would suit me better than any other person in the Collony. I have agreed with Mr John Austin to open and fence one Hundred acres there, and I could improve both places at the same time, and if Dr Phelps has forfeited, I think I deserve the land more than any other man in the Collony, for I have the force to cultivate a large portion of it. I refer you to John and William Austin, a reply is respectfully asked for.

Sylvester Murphy [Rubric]